Congress slams govt on ‘lapses’ in Singh’s funeral arrangements
Hindustan TimesThe Congress on Saturday intensified its attack on the Union government over both the handling of former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s funeral at Nigambodh Ghat and the continuing uncertainty over his memorial site, alleging a series of protocol breaches and “deliberate disrespect” to India’s first Sikh prime minister. By late evening, the controversy snowballed into a major political row as senior Congress leader KC Venugopal accused the government of being “hell bent on diminishing Singh’s stature for petty political reasons”, after BJP president JP Nadda alleged it was the Congress that had “tarnished the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office” during Singh’s tenure. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi described the government’s decision to conduct the last rites at Nigambodh Ghat as a “total insult” to India’s first Sikh prime minister. Venugopal sharpened the attack, stating, “The attempts to cut corners were for all to see, and there were many instances where the family was insulted and the overall dignity and protocol befitting Dr. Singh’s stature was completely lacking.” He added that “India will never forgive the PM and his Government for playing politics over the last rites.” Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal joined the criticism, questioning the BJP government’s inability to provide “even 1,000 square yards of land” for the last rites of a two-term prime minister who was “renowned worldwide.” According to Khera, Shah’s motorcade disrupted the funeral procession, resulting in family cars being left outside.