NEW DELHI, Dec 30: The BJP has criticized members of the Congress party for not being present with the family of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during the immersion of his ashes in the Yamuna. In response, the Congress stated that their absence was aimed at preserving the family’s privacy.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera articulated that senior leaders opted not to attend the ash immersion ceremony to show respect for the family’s desire for privacy during such a sensitive time.
He noted that after Dr. Singh’s cremation, prominent leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid a visit to the family at their home.
“In consultation with the family, it was determined that since they had not received any privacy during cremation and that some relatives could not reach the cremation site, it was respectful to allow them some privacy for the ‘Phool Chunana’ and the immersion ceremony, both of which are incredibly emotional and challenging moments for the family,” Khera mentioned in his statement.
The spat between the Congress and the ruling BJP has intensified over the arrangements and commemorations of Dr. Singh’s final rites.
The Congress has accused the BJP government of showing disrespect towards the late Prime Minister during the funeral arrangements.
Dr. Singh’s ashes were immersed in the Yamuna River near the Majnu ka Tila Gurdwara by his family members, following Sikh traditions.
The ashes were collected from Nigambodh Ghat on Sunday by family members and then taken to the ‘Asth Ghat’ by the riverbank near the gurdwara.
Present for the immersion were Dr. Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur and their three daughters — Upinder Singh, Daman Singh, and Amrit Singh, along with other family relatives.
Following Sikh customs, the family plans to hold an ‘Akhand Path’ at their official residence at 3 Motilal Nehru Marg on January 1 next year.
A ‘bhog’ ceremony, along with ‘Antim Ardas’ and ‘kirtan’, will take place on January 3 at the Rakab Ganj Gurdwara, located near the Parliament complex.
Dr. Singh passed away at AIIMS in Delhi on December 26 due to age-related health issues, at the age of 92.
The former Prime Minister was honored with a state funeral at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday. (PTI)
