‘Cheap Politics’: Minister On Congress Charge On Manmohan Singh Cremation
The recent passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has led to a political dispute between the Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the arrangements for his funeral and the establishment of a memorial in his honor.
Congress Party’s Allegations:
- Inadequate Funeral Arrangements: Congress leaders have criticized the government for conducting Singh’s last rites at Nigambodh Ghat, a public cremation ground in Delhi, instead of a designated memorial site befitting his stature. They argue that previous prime ministers were accorded specific memorial sites, and Singh deserved similar respect.
- Disrespect to Singh’s Legacy: Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated that performing the last rites at Nigambodh Ghat was a “total insult” to Singh, India’s first Sikh prime minister. He emphasized that all former prime ministers had their last rites at authorized burial sites, allowing the public to pay homage without inconvenience.
- Call for Memorial: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the allocation of a dedicated memorial site for Singh, following the precedent set for former prime ministers.
BJP’s Response:
- Accusations of Politicization: BJP President JP Nadda accused the Congress of politicizing Singh’s death. He contended that the Congress, which allegedly did not respect Singh during his tenure, is now using his demise for political gains.
- Memorial Allocation: The government announced that it has decided to allocate land for Singh’s memorial. A statement indicated that a trust would be formed to identify a suitable location, and the process would commence soon.
Government’s Position:
- Procedural Requirements: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri described the Congress’s allegations as “cheap politics” and an “unnecessary controversy.” He explained that the establishment of a memorial involves specific procedures, including the formation of a trust and land allocation, which take time.
- Assurance of Memorial: The government has assured that a memorial for Singh will be established following due process.
Current Status:
- Funeral Conducted: Manmohan Singh’s funeral was conducted with state honors at Nigambodh Ghat.
- Memorial Plans: The government has committed to setting up a memorial for Singh and is initiating the necessary procedures to allocate land and establish a trust for this purpose.
This situation highlights the sensitivities involved in state protocols for honoring former leaders and the political implications that can arise from perceived deviations from established traditions.
By – Kartik
