AAP MP Sanjay Singh Calls Memorial Space Dispute For Manmohan Singh ‘Unfortunate’

New Delhi, December 28: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh criticized the BJP-led central government for its handling of the memorial space for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, calling it “unfortunate” that such an issue even needs to be discussed. He accused the government of showing “obnoxious” thinking in its approach.Singh questioned why the government was unwilling to allocate space for Manmohan Singh’s last rites at the Rajghat premises, traditionally reserved for former Prime Ministers. He also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain if any former Prime Minister’s funeral had ever been held at Nigambodh Ghat instead of Rajghat, suggesting that the Sikh community must feel disrespected by this decision.”This is unfortunate. This shows how obnoxious the government’s thinking is. I want to ask PM Modi why the space for Manmohan Singh’s last rites is not being allotted at Rajghat. This party calls itself the most cultured, but where is the respect?” Singh said in an interview with ANI.Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa also weighed in on the issue, stressing that the entire nation wants Manmohan Singh’s last rites to be held at the same location where his memorial will be built. He stated that this demand was not only from Congress or the Sikh community, but from all Indians. Bajwa criticized the government for not considering this beforehand.The BJP responded with sharp criticism of Congress, accusing them of politicizing the issue of Manmohan Singh’s demise. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that Congress had never respected the former Prime Minister and that such politics should be avoided, particularly during this time of grief. He also pointed out that the Modi government had shown respect to leaders from all parties, citing the Bharat Ratna awards to former Prime Ministers PV Narsimha Rao and Madan Mohan Malviya, and former President Pranab Mukherjee.Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to request that Manmohan Singh’s last rites take place at a location where his memorial could also be built. In a letter, Kharge reiterated the request, citing the tradition of having memorials of former statesmen and Prime Ministers at the same site as their funerals.Home Minister Amit Shah later confirmed that the government would allocate space for the memorial, although a trust must be formed and the space allocated before that can proceed. In the meantime, Singh’s family has been given approval to go ahead with the cremation and other formalities.Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 at AIIMS on December 27 due to age-related medical conditions, served as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, playing a pivotal role in India’s economic reforms. He was the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, leading the country through a period of significant economic growth and international recognition.Singh’s death marks the end of a distinguished political career, with his leadership remembered for steady management during economic crises and contributions to modernizing India’s economy.