Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the government for performing former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s last rites at Nigambodh Ghat, alleging that it was an insult to the respected leader. Gandhi emphasized that Dr. Singh, the first Prime Minister from the Sikh community, deserved the highest respect and a Samadhi Sthal, a designated memorial site, for his contributions to the nation.
During his decade-long tenure as Prime Minister, India emerged as an economic superpower, and his policies continue to support the poor and backward classes. Gandhi pointed out that it has been a tradition to perform the last rites of former Prime Ministers at authorized Samadhi Sthals, allowing people to pay their respects without any inconvenience.
Gandhi’s statement comes after Dr. Singh passed away on December 26 at the age of 92. The government had announced a seven-day national mourning period in honor of the former Prime Minister. Despite this, Gandhi feels that the government failed to show the requisite respect to Dr. Singh and his community by not providing a suitable memorial site for his last rites.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Singh’s last rites has sparked a debate about the government’s handling of the situation. While the government has maintained that it followed protocol, Gandhi’s criticism has raised questions about the need for greater respect and recognition for India’s former leaders.
