‘Nothing However Deliberate Insult’: Congress Vs BJP Over Memorial For Manmohan Singh – News18
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The final rites of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh could be carried out in Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat crematorium at 11:45 am on Saturday.
Former PM Manmohan Singh (PTI/File)
An enormous row has erupted over the place allotted by the Ministry of Residence Affairs – Nigambodh Ghat crematorium – for the final rites of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who handed away on Thursday night, as BJP and Opposition clashed over the problem.
Whereas the Congress condemned the allocation of the Nigambodh Ghat for the ultimate rituals as an alternative of a location the place a memorial could possibly be inbuilt his honour, the BJP reminded that the Congress authorities didn’t construct a memorial within the honour of former PM Narasimha Rao.
Govt To Construct Manmohan Singh’s Memorial, Conveyed Resolution To Congress: Sources
Because the politics over the problem picked tempo on Friday, sources instructed information company PTI that the Centre has determined to make a memorial of the late former Prime Minister within the nationwide capital.
The sources stated that the choice on this regard has been conveyed to the Congress get together, nonetheless, added that it’s going to take a couple of days time to seek out an applicable place for the memorial.
“The federal government’s resolution to construct a memorial in honour of Manmohan Singh has been conveyed to the Congress. However they’ve engaged in politics over the problem,” a authorities supply stated.
Kharge Writes To PM Modi Over Memorial
The political slugfest comes after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier within the day, urging him to carry the final rites of the late PM at a spot the place his memorial could possibly be constructed.
“Apropos our telephonic dialog as we speak morning, whereby made a request to carry Dr. Manmohan, Singh’s final rites, which is able to happen tomorrow i.e. twenty eighth December 2024. at his remaining resting place that might be a sacrosanct venue for memorial of the nice son of India. That is in line with such custom of getting memorials of statesmen and former Prime Ministers on the very place of their funerals,” Kharge stated within the letter to the Prime Minister.
Akali Dal Claims Centre ‘Declined’ Ex-PM’s Household’s Demand For Memorial
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed that the Centre “declined” the request by Manmohan Singh’s household for the funeral to be held at a spot the place a memorial could possibly be inbuilt his reminiscence.
“Surprising and unbelievable! It’s condemnable within the excessive that Union Govt has declined the request of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s household for performing the funeral and final rites of the extremely distinguished chief at a spot the place an applicable and historic memorial could also be constructed to commemorate his unparalleled companies to the nation. This place ought to be Raj Ghat. This can be in line with the settled observe and custom adopted prior to now,” Badal claimed.
Surprising and unbelievable! It’s condemnable within the excessive that Union Govt has declined the request of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s household for performing the funeral and final rites of the extremely distinguished chief at a spot the place an applicable and historic memorial could also be constructed to… pic.twitter.com/5ejdKV7XJD— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 27, 2024
BJP Reacts To Memorial Demand
BJP nationwide spokesperson CR Kesavan shared Kharge’s letter and highlighted the portion of the texts urging for the memorial, and stated that it was “ironic” of the Congress president to put in writing to PM Modi about traditions and funeral place changing into the sacrosanct venue for a memorial.
“One ought to remind Kharge ji how the Congress-led UPA Govt by no means constructed a memorial in Delhi for former PM Narasimha Rao ji, who handed away in 2004. The Congress by no means constructed a memorial for him within the 10 years they had been in energy from 2004-2014,” he stated.
It’s certainly ironic {that a} Congress President is writing to PM @narendramodi ji about traditions & the funeral place changing into the sacrosanct venue for a memorial. One ought to remind Kharge ji how the Congress led UPA Govt by no means constructed a memorial in Delhi for former PM Narasimha… pic.twitter.com/nt59JttvrX— C.R.Kesavan (@crkesavan) December 27, 2024
He highlighted that it’s the Narendra Modi authorities which instituted a memorial for Narasimha Rao and honoured him with Bharat Ratna posthumously this 12 months.
“Sanjaya Baru claimed in his guide that the Congress didn’t need Rao’s cremation to happen in Delhi, however slightly in Hyderabad, and that he had been approached to convey this to Rao’s youngsters. The cremation did happen in Hyderabad, with Rao’s physique not even laid in state on the All India Congress Committee’s headquarters,” Kesavan stated.
Pranab Mukherjee’s Daughter Slams Congress
Sharmistha, daughter of the late Congress chief who went on to grow to be India’s President, stated that Congress didn’t “trouble to name CWC for condolence assembly” after his demise as she was instructed by a senior get together chief that it’s not accomplished for Presidents.
“A senior chief instructed me it’s not accomplished 4 Presidents. That’s utter garbage as I realized later from baba’s diaries that on KR Narayanan’s loss of life, CWC was referred to as & condolence msg was drafted by baba solely,” she wrote on X.
Congress Alleges ‘Deliberate Insult’ To Manmohan Singh
Congress basic secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the federal government is “insulting” the primary Sikh PM of the nation “intentionally”.
“Earlier this morning, Congress President had written to the Prime Minister, suggesting that the cremation of the previous Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, happen at a location the place a memorial could possibly be constructed to honour his legacy,” he tweeted.
“The individuals of our nation are merely unable to grasp why the Authorities of India couldn’t discover a location for his cremation and memorial that’s befitting of his international stature, document of excellent achievements, and exemplary service to the nation for many years. That is nothing however a deliberate insult to the primary Sikh Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh,” Jairam added.
Congress MP Manish Tewari referred to as the allocation of Nigambodh Ghat for final rites “unlucky”, and stated that he ought to have been cremated the place different former PMs had been cremated.
“If what’s showing within the Public Area is right that the cremation of Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh can be held at Nigambodh Ghat, this can be very unlucky. If Late Dr Manmohan Singh’s household wished it that means then it’s a completely different matter in any other case he ought to be cremated the place the final rites of different Former Prime Ministers have taken place,” he stated.
INDIA Allies Again Congress’ Demand, Slams BJP
Samajwadi Occasion chief and Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav stated that no politics ought to be accomplished on the problem and Manmohan Singh’s memorial ought to be constructed at Rajghat.
“The custom of honoring the memorial of the previous Prime Minister of the nation should be upheld. There isn’t a want for politics on this difficulty, nor ought to there be any. Dr. Manmohan Singh’s memorial ought to be established at Rajghat itself. The BJP mustn’t set an inappropriate instance of its narrow-minded pondering. Historical past won’t ever forgive the BJP for its unfavorable outlook on this matter,” he posted on X.
TMC MP Saket Gokhale stated that it could be “petty of the Modi authorities” to refuse a memorial for a “large” like Manmohan Singh.
“A two-term PM & the architect of recent Indian economic system deserves a memorial. Let political pettiness of BJP not get in the way in which of honoring our beloved former PM Dr Singh,” he stated.
