Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will receive a state funeral with full military honors at Nigambodh Ghat in North Delhi on Saturday, December 27, 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This decision follows discussions among Congress leadership, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, regarding a potential memorial for Dr. Singh.
Sources indicate that the Congress party’s general secretaries have also engaged with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the memorial. Government officials have communicated to Mr. Kharge and Dr. Singh’s family that a dedicated site for the memorial will be allocated shortly, though it will not be at the funeral location. Historically, the Congress-led UPA government established a common memorial site, Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, due to land constraints in central Delhi.
Mr. Kharge reiterated the tradition of locating memorials for statesmen and former Prime Ministers at their funeral sites in a letter to the Prime Minister. Highlighting Dr. Singh’s esteemed contributions and status, Kharge emphasized the importance of honoring his legacy appropriately. The Congress party’s insistence on a memorial reflects a desire to honor Dr. Singh’s significant standing in Indian society and address past controversies surrounding the funerals of previous leaders.
Dr. Singh’s body was displayed at his residence on Motilal Nehru Road, draped in the Tricolour, allowing leaders and citizens to pay their final respects. Prominent figures, including President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and several state Chief Ministers, visited to honor the late Prime Minister.
Stay updated for more developments on this significant event.
Published – December 27, 2024, 10:12 pm IST
