BJP govt accused of ‘disrespecting, mismanaging’ Manmohan funeral rites

ISLAMABAD: The Indian opposition has alleged that the BJP government “disrespected and mismanaged” funeral rites of former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who served the country as the premier for 10 years and earlier as the finance minister.

According to reports, as the Indian nation mourns the passing away of noted economist and former premier, a fresh controversy has erupted over an alleged insult to Dr Singh during his funeral rites. The controversy centres around the official decision to cremate Dr Singh at Nigambodh Ghat rather than at a designated memorial site.

Nigambodh Ghat, situated on the banks of Yamuna River, is one of Delhi’s oldest cremation grounds, but its use for the funeral of a former prime minister was seen by many as lowering the stature of the leader, who comes from another community.

In the past, leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were cremated at sites that later became public memorials. While the choice of site did not contravene any official norms or protocol, many opposition leaders viewed it as a glaring affront to Dr Singh’s memory.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the decision, stating on X: “Until now, respecting the dignity of all former prime ministers, their last rites were performed at authorised memorial sites so that every person could have the opportunity to pay homage without inconvenience.

“Dr Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community.”

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed her brother Rahul’s concerns, asserting that the government had failed to honour both the “personality of Manmohan Singh” and the “self-respecting Sikh community”. In a statement on X, she wrote: “Earlier, all former prime ministers were given the highest honour and respect. Dr Manmohan Singh Ji deserves this honour and a Samadhi Sthal (Place).”

Meanwhile, the arrangements at the cremation site were also criticised, with Congress alleging “disrespect and mismanagement”. Pawan Khera, chairman of the Congress’s Media and Publicity Department, claimed on X that only three chairs were provided for Dr Singh’s family, forcing Congress leaders to scramble to organise additional seating. “The family was not given enough space around the funeral pyre as soldiers had occupied one side,” he wrote, adding that Dr Singh’s grandsons had to “struggle for space” to perform the last rites.

Similarly, Congress MP, former distinguished diplomat, Shashi Tharoor, who attended the funeral, said it was difficult to see much of the proceedings. In a post on X, he said: “It was difficult to see much of the proceedings, beyond the backs of the heads of assorted dignitaries and close relatives of the departed soul, so it became more of an occasion to reflect on the life and legacy of the late great PM.”

Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed shock and questioned why the BJP government could not provide “even 1,000 yards of land” for a proper burial site and memorial. “I am shocked to hear this news. The last rites of former prime minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh were performed at Nigambodh Ghat. Before this, the last rites of all the prime ministers of India were performed at Raj Ghat,” he stated on X.

Similarly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called the decision to cremate Dr Singh at Nigambodh Ghat an “insult to his towering legacy and the Sikh community.” On X, he wrote: “Refusing the family’s request and relegating a two-term prime minister to Nigambodh Ghat reeks of arrogance, bias and a deliberate attempt to erase his immense contributions from public memory.”

The BJP government’s decision to deny Dr #ManmohanSingh’s family the right to perform his last rites at a befitting site for his memorial is a direct insult to his towering legacy and the Sikh community.