Manmohan Singh’s Funeral Highlights: Former PM cremated with full State honours at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat

Britain's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy, has praised Dr. Manmohan Singh's bold economic reforms as a legacy that continues to shape modern India. In a social media tribute to the former prime minister, who was cremated in New Delhi on Saturday, Lammy also credited Singh with laying the foundations of the "thriving" bilateral partnership between India and the UK.

“Dr Manmohan Singh's bold economic reforms transformed India's economy,” Lammy said in a post on X on Friday evening.

“His legacy continues to shape modern India, and his vision laid the foundations for today's thriving UK-India partnership. My deepest condolences to his family and the Indian people,” he said.

A political row has erupted between the Congress and the BJP over the arrangements for the last rites and memorial of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. On Saturday, the Congress accused the Centre of disrespecting Singh by conducting his last rites at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated location that could later serve as a memorial in his honour.

The Congress formally urged the Centre to allocate a resting place for Singh along the Yamuna river in Delhi, where several former prime ministers have their memorials. The disagreement intensified hours before Singh's last rites, with the Congress alleging negligence and the BJP asserting that plans for a memorial were already underway. According to the Centre, a trust will soon be established to finalise a suitable location for the memorial.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised the move, calling it “completely insulting.” Gandhi wrote, “The great son of Mother India and the first prime minister from the Sikh community has been totally insulted by the BJP-led Centre by performing his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat.” 

The BJP on Saturday accused Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi of politicising the funeral of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and claimed the party had a history of "insulting" its own leaders, including ex-PM PV Narasimha Rao.

Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra criticised Gandhi for alleging that the Modi government disrespected Singh by holding his cremation at Nigam Bodh Ghat instead of a designated memorial site like previous prime ministers.

Patra further alleged that Congress has disrespected its own leaders, such as Narasimha Rao, former president Pranab Mukherjee, India’s first president Rajendra Prasad, and former deputy PM Vallabhbhai Patel, in the past.

"The cabinet has informed Dr Singh's family and the Congress that a memorial will be built so that everyone can remember his positive contribution. However, time is needed for land acquisition, forming a trust and other formalities. At the same time, cremation should be done as it cannot wait," Patra said.

Following the last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Nigambodh Ghat, the Congress on Friday honoured his legacy, stating he had left “an indelible mark on our country’s history.”

In a heartfelt post on X, the party described Singh as “a visionary leader and guiding light” who steered India through a transformative phase of economic growth and global recognition.

“As Prime Minister, Dr. Singh’s leadership was instrumental in liberalizing India’s economy, paving the way for rapid growth and strengthening our global standing. His commitment to economic reforms and diplomacy earned him admiration and respect worldwide,” the post read.

Highlighting Singh’s contributions beyond economic reforms, the Congress hailed him as “a champion of social welfare.” The party credited his leadership for landmark initiatives such as the rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGA), the Right to Education (RTE), the National Food Security Act, the Land Acquisition Act, and the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

"These programs have had a profound impact on the lives of millions of Indians, empowering them with dignity and opportunity,” the statement read.