New Delhi – Funeral services for ex Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh sparked political controversy, as the Congress alleged the BJP led Central Government had been treated with contempt and inefficiency. Mourning his death, the controversy is whether or not Singh was cremated properly at Nigambodh Ghat, public cremation ground other than cremation ground memorial. While the Congress party also held its protest to press for their demand, the BJP held theirs to expectedly criticize the opposition.
Congress Alleges Disrespect
This is a total insult to Dr Manmohan Singh, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to attack the government. He questioned the decision to have her funeral at a public crematorium claiming that previous Prime Ministers were buried in special sites to commemorate them. “Dr. Manmohan singh deserves the highest respect and memorial. ‘Row over ‘Pakistan’ in MPs’ tribute violates Constitution’ vindicates the former PM @ manmohansingh & the great sikh community,’ Gandhi said.
As echoed by Priyanka Gandhi, General Secretary of the Congress, flouted the arrangement saying that there was none in place. She also pointed to other occasions that suggested that Singh’s family members were reportedly almost being squeezed to stay among people while the general public was also experiencing inconvenience to do the same and pay tribute. “Mr Premier, the government has not valued the dignity of the office of the former Prime Minister, the personality of Dr Singh, legacy, and the proud Sikh people,” she said.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera recited several alleged failures such as there are not enough chairs provided for the families, they play the ‘Last Post’ during the funeral and lack of decent behavior displayed by the officials. Former Finance Minister of India and senior Congress leader, Kapil Sibal said: “The BJP did not allow the former Prime Minister to have his peaceful last moments, and now they are not even allowing him to have a dignified funeral.”
BJP Alleges Congress Of Politics Over Dead Bodies
Challenging the allegations BJP national president JP Nadda said the Congress party’s statement can only be termed as cheap politics the party chose to politicize a moment of grief for the nation. He went on to say that the government has committed to provide a designated site for the memorial and had communicated this to the family of Singh. What the Gandhi family has to say is shameful and this is why their statements are proof of the kind of mentality that they possess. Mr. Nadda said that The Centre has not changed its word to honor, Dr. Singh at all.
Congress senior leader and deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, condemned the remarks as’ shameful, cheap’ and ‘My first rake is with you’, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra responded to the Congress party’s outrage, reminding them of alleged disrespect of Congress towards its own leaders. He said the exclusion was seen even in the case of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao whose body was said to have been denied entry into Congress headquarters and buried in Hyderabad instead of New Delhi. ‘The Congress has not respected its own leaders in the past and this fact has been proved’ said Patra.
Gen Y’s National Debate on Our Legacy And Respect
The row escalated further when the Indian media got wind of reports of the Congress government demanding a new website for the funeral of Singh to be constructed so as to erect a permanent monument. The Centre, however, clarified that even though a memorial site would be developed later through a trust, the first cremation had to take place at Nigambodh Ghat. It has sorrowfully been welcomed with several different feelings and has therefore raised other discussions regarding how the nation celebrates its leaders.
Conclusion
This last act of distortion visualises the state of contention where political dissensions are apparent and wonder about the civility which the government correctly observes, where tradition and respect meet politically if not in a funeral for Dr. Manmohan Singh. As the Congress has kept on insisting on securing a separate memorial, the BJP insists that it has done right by her and assured that it will build a befitting memorial later. The argument though, will likely continue, while each side remains uncompromising.
