The Congress accused the Centre of disrespecting former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by conducting his last rites at a public crematorium, while the BJP countered by accusing the Congress of politicising the issue, despite assurances of a dedicated memorial space.
The row over holding the last rites of Manmohan Singh at a public crematorium has intensified following the funeral, with Congress leaders accusing the Centre of insulting the former Prime Minister. While the Congress claimed the government showed disrespect not only to Singh but also to his family, the BJP responded by accusing Congress of exploiting a moment of grief for political gain.
Hours after the funeral concluded at the Nigambodh Ghat, Rahul Gandhi said the decision to perform his last rites there was a “total insult” to the former PM and added that the government should have shown respect to him.
“The great son of Mother India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr Manmohan Singh ji, has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat,” Gandhi tweeted.
“Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorised burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any 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,” he added.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi echoed Rahul Gandhi, and said, “the government has not done justice to the dignity of the post of former Prime Minister, the personality of Manmohan Singh, his legacy, and the self-respecting Sikh community”.
She also alleged that she saw “Dr Manmohan Singh ji’s family members struggling for a place at the funeral site, trying to find space in the crowd, and the general public being troubled due to lack of space and paying tribute from the road outside”.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi also posted on X that the BJP’s attitude tow
