Manmohan’s funeral at Nigambodh Ghat is a sheer insult: Rahul

#News Bureau December 28,2024

Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh was cremated at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday. Before the cremation, his coffin, draped in the tricolour and adorned with flowers, was placed on an elevated platform where leaders cutting across party lines paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Nigambodh Ghat. Apart from President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were among the top leaders who paid their last respects. The former Prime Minister, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the three services also paid their last respects to Singh at the crematorium. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also carried the coffin for the final journey.

Manmohan was also given a 21-gun salute. Since his funeral was held with full state honours, the 21-gun salute is part of the state honours. In a 21-gun salute, no shells are fired, and a specially designed cartridge – commonly called a blank round – is used to create the sound of firing.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk and Mauritius’ Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramphul reached Nigambodh Ghat. Where PM Modi, all the ministers and the President were seen paying their respects to them.

During the funeral, Congress workers were raising slogans outside Nigambodh Ghat “Give Manmohan Singh Bharat Ratna”. This demand has now gained momentum across the country.

Rahul’s attack

Opposition leader and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the cremation of Manmohan at Nigambodh Ghat. Rahul has written on Twitter- The present government has completely insulted the great son of Mother India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, by cremating him at Nigambodh Ghat today (Saturday). He was the Prime Minister of India for a decade, during his tenure the country became an economic superpower and his policies are still the support of the poor and backward classes of the country.

Rahul further wrote- Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized Samadhi Sthals so that every person can pay tribute by paying last respect without any inconvenience. Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and Samadhi Sthal. The government should have shown respect towards this great son of the country and his glorious community.

On one hand, while there is a demand to give Bharat Ratna to Manmohan Singh, many leaders, rising above party lines, condemned PM Modi and BJP for not allowing the last rites to be performed at Rajghat. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said- “It is unfortunate that we even have to talk about this. This shows how disgusting the thinking of the government is… I want to ask PM Narendra Modi that why are you not ready to provide space in Rajghat premises for the last rites of PM Manmohan Singh? This party calls itself the most cultured? Name me one former Prime Minister whose last rites were performed at Nigambodh… How humiliated the Sikh community must be feeling…”

Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu said- How would it have felt if Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s last rites were not allowed to be performed at Rajghat? BJP’s thinking has always been bad, that is what is showing.

Many Congress leaders said that the BJP-led NDA government did not accept their request and they were told that the last rites would be performed at Nigambodh Ghat. Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh said, “The people of our country are unable to understand why the Government of India could not find a place for his cremation and memorial that is in line with his global stature, record of outstanding achievements and exemplary service.” He said- “This is nothing but a deliberate insult to India’s first Sikh Prime Minister.” Shiromani Akali Dal, Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party had also demanded the last rites at Rajghat.

Earlier in the morning, the last journey of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh began from the Congress headquarters on Saturday. Singh’s body was brought to the Congress headquarters. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, senior leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal paid tribute to the two-time PM on Saturday.