Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP government of "insulting" former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Gandhi's comments come amid a row on the former PM and finance minister's cremation site.
Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi stated that the government has insulted Dr Singh by performing his last rites at Nigam Bodh Ghat.
"The present government has insulted the great son of Mother India and the first prime minister of the Sikh community, Dr Manmohan Singh ji, by performing his last rites at the Nigam Bodh Ghat today," he wrote on X.
Gandhi added that under Dr Singh's decade-long tenure, India became an economic superpower.
"To date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized Samadhi Sthals so that every person can pay his last respects without any inconvenience," he said, adding that the cremation should have been held with respect and dignity.
What Is The Cremation Row?
Congress party had demanded that Dr Manmohan Singh's funeral and last rites ceremony be held at a location which could be transformed into a memorial site for the former prime minister.
"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. This is nothing but a deliberate insult to the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh," said spokesperson Jairam Ramesh on X.
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge also sent a letter to the Prime Minister for a memorial site location.
While Congress has accused of the government of "insulting" Dr Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that a memorial site for the former prime minister will be appointed later.
