In a late-night development, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the government has decided to allocate space for a memorial for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday night. The move comes after a row erupted between the BJP, the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on the same issue. The Centre had earlier denied the Congress’s request to hold the cremation at a separate memorial site. Congress leaders like Jayaram Ramesh lashed out at the Centre, describing it as a “deliberate insult to India’s first Sikh Prime Minister.”

Earlier this morning, Congress President had written to the Prime Minister, suggesting that the cremation of the former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, take place at a location where a memorial could be built to honour his legacy.

The people of our country are simply unable…

---Advertisement---

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 27, 2024

The remarks followed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrange for Dr. Manmohan Singh’s funeral at a location where a memorial could be established in his honor at his final resting place. Kharge stated that such a gesture would be a fitting tribute to a leader of Singh’s stature and legacy, while also aligning with the traditions observed for former prime ministers.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that the Centre has declined a request from Singh’s family to conduct the funeral and last rites at a location where an appropriate memorial may be built.

“Shocking and unbelievable! It is condemnable in the extreme that Union Govt has declined the request of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s family for performing the funeral and last rites of the highly distinguished leader at a place where an appropriate and historic memorial may be built to commemorate his unparalleled services to the nation.” Badal tweeted.

Shocking and unbelievable! It is condemnable in the extreme that Union Govt has declined the request of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji’s family for performing the funeral and last rites of the highly distinguished leader at a place where an appropriate and historic memorial may be built to… pic.twitter.com/5ejdKV7XJD

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 27, 2024

The former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s final rites were scheduled to be conducted at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday with complete state honors. The Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had alleged that the BJP government denied a memorial for Manmohan Singh. They also previously slammed the BJP-led government’s decision to conduct Singh’s last rites at Nigambodh Ghat, calling it an insult.

Earlier on Friday, Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to conduct the last rites of Manmohan Singh at a place where a memorial can be built. He wrote the letter after speaking to Modi about setting up a memorial for Manmohan Singh, who was a two-term prime minister revered by the people of the country. However, later the Congress and SAD alleged that the Centre had denied their request for a memorial. According to them, state funeral arrangements were proceeding at Nigambodh Ghat.

However, immediately after the Cabinet meeting yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah communicated to Kharge and the family of Manmohan Singh that the government would allocate space for the memorial, according to the MHA statement.