The political atmosphere is heated over Manmohan Singh's memorial. Congress demanded a suitable place for the funeral and memorial. The government's decision to choose Nigambodh Ghat for the funeral provoked Congress criticism. Sidhu linked it to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and launched into an attack, while BJP accused Congress of politicizing Manmohan Singh's death.
Congress President Wrote a Letter to PM Modi
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. A statement from the government claimed that land would be allocated for a memorial. Along with Congress, Akali Dal's Sukhbir Singh Badal, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, and AAP leader Sanjay Singh accused the government of disrespecting Manmohan Singh.
Rahul Gandhi Also Took on the Central Government
Rahul Gandhi posted on X that former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's funeral was held at Nigambodh Ghat, which was an outright disrespect by the current government. He served as India's Prime Minister for a decade, during which the nation became an economic powerhouse. His policies continue to support the country's underprivileged. Until now, all former Prime Ministers were given proper funerals at designated memorials to allow public homage. Dr. Singh deserves our utmost respect and a memorial site.
Source: aajtak
BJP Retorted Against Congress
BJP retorted vehemently to Rahul Gandhi’s accusations. Party President JP Nadda criticized Congress's opportunistic politics and urged learning from PM Modi about respecting others. The Congress-BJP clash over Manmohan Singh's funeral and memorial has escalated, with leaders from both parties involved in intense exchanges.
What Did Arvind Kejriwal Say?
Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal criticized that the cremation of India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was conducted at Nigambodh Ghat. Previously, Indian Prime Ministers were cremated at Rajghat. Despite Dr. Singh being a globally renowned Sikh and serving as Prime Minister for 10 years, the BJP government couldn’t allocate even 1000 square feet of land for his memorial.
Pawan Khera Accused of Disrespectful Conduct
Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the government of disrespectful conduct during former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s state funeral, calling it a shocking display of disrespect and disorder. The funeral's media coverage was permitted only to Doordarshan (DD), which predominantly focused on PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, with little coverage of Dr. Singh’s family.
Source: aajtak
Family Also Faced Unfair Treatment
Only three front-row seats were allocated for Dr. Singh's family. Congress leaders had to intervene to secure seating for his daughters and other relatives. When the national flag was handed over to his widow and the gun salute took place, neither the Prime Minister nor ministers stood in respect. Due to military presence near the pyre, the family was not given enough space, even forcing Dr. Singh's grandchildren to struggle during the cremation rites.
Union Minister JP Nadda's Retort
BJP National President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda harshly criticized Congress over former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s death. He asserted that neither former Congress President Rahul Gandhi nor the current President Mallikarjun Kharge refrained from politics even on such a solemn occasion.
Nadda Recalled Rahul Gandhi's Ordinance Tearing
Nadda stated, "Congress never honored Dr. Manmohan Singh while he was alive and now uses his honor as a political tool. This is the same Congress that demeaned the Prime Minister’s office by placing Sonia Gandhi as a super PM over Dr. Singh. Rahul Gandhi insulted Dr. Singh by tearing an ordinance, and today the same Rahul Gandhi is politicking."
Queries on Congress's History
JP Nadda remarked, "The Gandhi family has neither honored nor done justice to any prominent leader of the country, whether leaders from Congress or the opposition, including luminaries like Baba Saheb Ambedkar, India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, PV Narasimha Rao, Pranab Mukherjee, or Atal Bihari Vajpayee... Congress has wronged them all."
Congress Spreading False News: JP Nadda
JP Nadda stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has ensured a memorial site for Dr. Manmohan Singh and informed his family accordingly. Despite this, Congress spreads false news.
Mention of Former PM PV Narasimha Rao
He reminded everyone of Congress's history, saying, "When former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao passed away, there was a demand for a memorial site at the Rajghat complex in Delhi, but Sonia Gandhi rejected it. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who facilitated his memorial in 2015. When Bharat Ratna Dr. Pranab Mukherjee passed away in 2020, Congress didn’t even consider holding a condolence meeting."
JP Nadda Advised Congress to Avoid Politics
JP Nadda advised, "Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other Congress leaders should avoid indulging in petty politics. The BJP, while respecting a great leader like Dr. Manmohan Singh, condemns Congress for reducing this respect to a political tool." Following this statement from the BJP President, the political battle between Congress and the BJP intensified.
Sambit Patra Also Targeted Congress
BJP MP Sambit Patra criticized, "This marks a new low in Indian politics, credit to the Congress Party. Due to Congress, we hold a press conference on the day former Prime Minister’s funeral was conducted. BJP believes in dignity in death. Congress's style of politics, especially by Rahul Gandhi, who tweeted about the cremation, is disgraceful."
BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra also mentioned that files were often taken from the Prime Minister's table to Sonia Gandhi, as described in a book. After former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s death, his body was not allowed into Congress headquarters, allegedly on Sonia Gandhi's instructions, nor was his cremation allowed in Delhi under her direction.
What Did BJP Say About the Memorial?
He further stated, "Upon former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's passing, we decided in a cabinet meeting that given his stature, a memorial should be erected in his name to honor his positive contributions for posterity."
KC Venugopal's Retaliation Against JP Nadda
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal fought back against BJP and Union Minister JP Nadda, criticizing them for crossing all lines of decency. He described the arrangements made during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s funeral and the government's behavior as deliberately derogatory efforts to diminish stature.
Source: aajtak
Family of Former PM Manmohan Singh Insulted: Venugopal
Venugopal said, "In the last two days, BJP's hypocritical politics and cheap tricks have forced us to expose their true nature." He accused the government of attempting cost cuts during Dr. Singh’s funeral and insulting his family on multiple occasions. He mentioned a complete lack of protocol befitting Dr. Singh’s stature and respect. Venugopal stated, "The government's conduct is an immense insult to Dr. Manmohan Singh. India will never forgive this humiliation."
Venugopal sharply attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, accusing them of turning Dr. Singh’s funeral into a political drama. He called it a violation of Indian democratic values and integrity.
