The government has initiated the process of identifying land for the memorial of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away last Thursday.
Singh, known for guiding India through a period of significant economic liberalisation in the 1990s, was cremated with full state honours on December 28.
As part of the memorial plans, officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) visited several locations near the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.
Some potential sites for the memorial were identified during this visit. The government is working closely with Singh's family to select the final location.
Sources reveal that the family has been consulted, and a few potential spots have been discussed. However, no final decision has been made yet.
The government assures that all decisions will be made in consultation with Singh's relatives. To formalise the process, a trust will be established, and the land will be allocated to the trust for the construction of the memorial.
The government's intention to build a memorial in honour of Singh has been conveyed to his family, and they are in discussions about how best to proceed with the tribute. The memorial is expected to reflect his significant contributions to the nation.
While the memorial planning progresses, the funeral arrangements for Manmohan Singh had sparked a heated debate between the Congress and the BJP.
Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accused the BJP of disrespecting the former prime minister by conducting his last rites at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat.
Rahul Gandhi condemned the act on social media, stating that Singh, as a prominent figure and the first Sikh Prime Minister, was insulted by the government's decision.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed her brother's sentiments, arguing that the government had not shown proper respect to Singh's legacy, his dignity as a former prime minister, and his Sikh identity.
She expressed her dissatisfaction with the decision to perform the cremation at a place she deemed inappropriate for someone of his stature.
In response, BJP leaders swiftly rejected the Congress' accusations, accusing the party of politicising the former prime minister’s death. Union Minister and
BJP President JP Nadda expressed his disappointment at Congress leaders, especially Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, for making the funeral a point of political contention.
Nadda remarked that the Congress had failed to show Singh the respect he deserved during his lifetime and was now using his demise for political gain.
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