India bid adieu to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday with a cremation ceremony at the Nigambodh Ghat. The site of his last rites have however become a topic of heated debate — with Congress leaders accusing the Narendra Modi government of ‘insulting’ the late leader. Members of the party had repeatedly called for the ceremony to be performed at a place where a memorial could be built.
“Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat…Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience,” Rahul Gandhi contended in a lengthy social media post.
Several promiment members of the Congress have accused the ruling BJP government of “deliberately insulting” the former PM by refusing to designate a place for his funeral and memorial. Meanwhile the Centre said that it had already decided to set up a memorial for Singh and efforts were underway to find a suitable place.
