Dr. Manmohan Singh, who served as India's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related health issues. Following his demise, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that his state funeral would be held at Nigambodh Ghat, a traditional cremation site in the capital.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed dissatisfaction with this decision, advocating for the establishment of a memorial at the cremation site to honor Singh's contributions to the nation. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge emphasized the importance of selecting a location that would serve as a lasting tribute to Singh's service. He stated, "This is in keeping with such tradition of having memorials of statesmen and former Prime Ministers at the very place of their funerals."
The Congress party's General Secretary, Jairam Ramesh, echoed these sentiments, describing the government's decision as a "deliberate insult" to India's first Sikh Prime Minister. Ramesh remarked, "The people of our country are simply unable to understand why the Government of India could not find a location for his cremation and memorial that is befitting of his global stature, record of outstanding achievements, and exemplary service to the nation for decades."
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also criticized the government's decision. SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal labeled the choice of Nigambodh Ghat as "shocking and unbelievable," urging the government to reconsider and select a more fitting site for Singh's cremation and memorial. Badal stated, "It is condemnable in the extreme that Union Govt has declined the request of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s family for performing the funeral and last rites of the highly distinguished leader at a place where an appropriate and historic memorial may be built."
In response to the criticism, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that space would be allocated for a memorial in honor of Dr. Singh. However, the ministry maintained that the cremation would proceed at Nigambodh Ghat as planned. A government source commented, "The government's decision to build a memorial in honour of Manmohan Singh has been conveyed to the Congress. But they have engaged in politics over the issue."
The decision to hold the cremation at Nigambodh Ghat has sparked a broader debate about the traditions and protocols associated with the funerals of former Prime Ministers in India. Historically, several former Prime Ministers have been cremated at sites where memorials were subsequently established, serving as enduring tributes to their legacies.
Dr. Manmohan Singh was widely respected for his role in liberalizing India's economy during his tenure as Finance Minister in the early 1990s and for his decade-long service as Prime Minister. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics, and the controversy surrounding his cremation site underscores the deep respect and admiration he commanded across the political spectrum.