New Delhi [India]: Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her disappointment over the Centre’s decision to conduct the cremation of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Nigam Bodh Ghat, stating that the move undermined the dignity of the office he held, his legacy, and the sentiments of the Sikh community.
पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री डॉ मनमोहन सिंह जी के अंतिम संस्कार के लिए यथोचित स्थान न उपलब्ध कराकर सरकार ने पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री के पद की गरिमा, मनमोहन सिंह जी की शख्सियत, उनकी विरासत और खुद्दार सिख समुदाय के साथ न्याय नहीं किया।
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 28, 2024
इससे पहले सभी पूर्व प्रधानमंत्रियों को सर्वोच्च सम्मान और…
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi remarked, “By not providing an adequate place for the cremation of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Government has not done justice to the dignity of the post of former Prime Minister, the personality of Manmohan Singh, his legacy and the self-respecting Sikh community.”
She emphasized that former Prime Ministers had traditionally been accorded the highest honors, adding that Singh deserved a fitting memorial. Criticizing the arrangements at the cremation site, she highlighted the struggles faced by Singh’s family members and the public, who paid their respects from the road outside.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticized the government, calling the decision to conduct Singh’s last rites at Nigam Bodh Ghat an insult. “Dr. Manmohan Singh ji was the first Sikh Prime Minister of India and served the nation for a decade. During his tenure, India became an economic superpower. He deserves the highest respect and a memorial befitting his stature,” he stated on X.
Congress leaders reiterated their demand for a designated funeral and memorial site to honor Singh’s legacy. However, the Centre clarified that while land for a memorial would be allocated, it could not be the cremation site due to procedural delays in forming the required trust.
The decision sparked comparisons to the handling of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s funeral arrangements during the UPA government. Critics noted the lack of a memorial for Rao, with Congress citing space constraints at the time.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Singh’s family during a Cabinet meeting that the government would allocate space for a memorial in the coming days.
Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday night, was accorded a state funeral with full military honors at Nigam Bodh Ghat. The renowned economist and statesman served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, during which he oversaw significant economic reforms and initiatives.
Singh’s passing marks the end of an era, leaving a profound impact on Indian politics and governance.