Controversy and government preparations on construction of memorial of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh died on 26 December, after which a controversy arose regarding his funeral and construction of the memorial. The Congress termed his cremation at Nigam Bodh Ghat as an “insult” and demanded that his last rites should have been performed where the memorial would be built. On the other hand, the Central Government expressed its commitment towards the construction of the memorial and said that a trust will be formed for this.

Accelerating the process of memorial construction

The central government has expedited the process for the construction of Manmohan Singh’s memorial.

• Location Selection:
  • The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Ministry of Urban Development inspected potential locations for the memorial.
  • These places include Kisan Ghat, National Memorial, and places near the Rajghat complex.
• Family opinion important:
  • Manmohan Singh’s family has been given a list of these places.
  • The final decision will be taken only after their opinion.

Formation of Trust and MOU

The government will form a trust before constructing the memorial.

• This trust will make formal application for the construction of the memorial.
• After allotment of land, CPWD will take up the construction of the memorial.
• An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) will also be signed between the Trust and the department.

Possibility of memorial in national memorial site

Under a cabinet resolution passed during the UPA government in 2013, a provision was made to build mausoleums of leaders like the President, Prime Minister and Vice President at the National Memorial.

• Manmohan Singh’s memorial is also likely to be built in the same complex.
• The memorial of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is also located at this place.

Congress’s opposition and alternative proposal

Congress’s stance:

Congress demanded that the cremation and construction of the memorial of Dr. Manmohan Singh should have taken place at the same place.

• Congress leader Praveen Dawar suggested that the memorial should be built in Chandigarh.
• He said, “It is my opinion that Chandigarh would be the most appropriate place for Manmohan Singh’s memorial.”

Root of controversy:

The Congress criticized the government over the cremation at Nigam Bodh Ghat, calling it an insult to the legacy of Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Government response and commitment

The government rejected Congress’s allegations and said there was no politics in the construction of the memorial.

• Time taken to construct the monument:
  • The government clarified that trust formation and land allotment will take time.
  • The government talked about giving priority to memorial construction.

Debate continues on memorial location

Priority of Kisan Ghat and National Memorial Site:

The Central Government and CPWD officials have given priority to the National Memorial.

• This place is home to the mausoleums of former Presidents and Prime Ministers.
• It is proposed that Manmohan Singh’s memorial should also be built at the same place.

Thoughts on Chandigarh:

Some leaders and supporters have demanded to build a memorial there citing Dr. Manmohan Singh’s connections with Chandigarh.

• Chandigarh has been his birthplace and this can be a special symbol of honoring his legacy.