The Congress party has declared a week of mourning, while a controversy regarding the location of his memorial arose between Congress and the Centre. Despite the tensions, the Centre has committed to allocating space for a memorial in the future, honouring Dr. Singh’s monumental impact on India’s growth.
BY PC Bureau
Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, was cremated with full state honours today at Nigambodh Ghat, a prominent cremation ground in Delhi.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and many others. Dr. Singh’s body was first taken to the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, where party leaders and members paid their respects.
President Droupadi Murmu bid the final farewell by laying the wreath on the mortal remains of Dr. Manmohan Singh, during the funeral conducted with Full State Honours. She, along with other dignitaries from India and abroad, witnessed the cremation. pic.twitter.com/sQYTOHLLXW
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 28, 2024
In recognition of his contributions, the Centre declared a seven-day state mourning across the country, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast. The Congress party also announced the cancellation of all official programs, including the Foundation Day celebration, for the next seven days, with activities set to resume on January 3.
A controversy arose regarding the space allocated for Dr. Singh’s memorial. The Congress party expressed dissatisfaction with Nigambodh Ghat being chosen for his final rites, suggesting that a different location should be selected for a memorial. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge requested Prime Minister Modi to consider the possibility of holding Dr. Singh’s last rites at a site where a memorial could be built. BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan responded by pointing out that the Congress-led UPA government had not established a memorial for former PM Narasimha Rao, highlighting the irony of the Congress’s demand.
Mortal remains of former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh is being taken from his residence to AICC HQ.
Party workers and the public will pay their tributes to the beloved leader.
📍New Delhi pic.twitter.com/R3TzDPxUXA
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 28, 2024
The Centre clarified that a space would be allocated for Dr. Singh’s memorial, but stated that a trust would need to be formed and the site finalized before the memorial could be established. In the meantime, the formalities for the cremation proceeded.
VIDEO | Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) joins the convoy carrying the mortal remains of former PM Manmohan Singh to Nigambodh Ghat for the last rites.#ManmohanSingh pic.twitter.com/4SKfGYRIRj
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 28, 2024
Dr. Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92 due to age-related health complications, is widely known as the ‘architect of India’s economic reforms.’ He served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, leading the country through significant economic and political changes.
Meanwhile, he Centre has confirmed that a space will be allocated for Dr. Singh’s memorial, a decision that was communicated to both Mallikarjun Kharge and Dr. Singh’s family. However, it also noted that the cremation and other formalities could proceed in the meantime, as the establishment of a trust and allocation of space are still required.
Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of the late former President Pranab Mukherjee, criticized Mallikarjun Kharge and the Congress party over their demand for a separate memorial for Dr. Singh. In a statement on X, she pointed out that when her father passed away in August 2020, the Congress leadership did not even convene a condolence meeting by the Congress Working Committee (CWC). She further mentioned that a senior Congress leader had told her that memorials are not typically built for Indian Presidents.
