Dr Manmohan Singh Cremated With State Honours, PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu Attend Funeral; Video

New Delhi: The last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were performed on Saturday at the Nigam Bodh Ghat in New Delhi, with full state honours. He was donned with his iconic blue turban during his final journey. The cremation ceremony, attended by top government officials and political leaders, marked the farewell of a statesman who shaped India’s economic and political landscape.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present, alongside Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also attended the ceremony, paying her respects to the late leader. King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck also attended the funeral.

The cremation rituals were conducted as per Sikh traditions, with sandalwood sticks used for the ceremony, officiated by Acharya Yogesh Kumar Sharma, as reported by ANI. Earlier in the day, the mortal remains of Dr Singh were taken in a solemn procession to Nigambodh Ghat after being kept at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, allowing party workers to pay their final respects.

Dr Manmohan Singh, a respected economist and India’s 13th Prime Minister, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92 at AIIMS, Delhi, due to age-related health issues.

Row Over Memorial For Dr Manmohan Singh

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to allocate space for a memorial to honour Dr Singh. Kharge stressed that a memorial would serve as a fitting tribute to the leader’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a global statesman.

Responding to the request, Amit Shah confirmed after Friday’s Cabinet meeting that the government would allocate space for the memorial. However, he clarified that the cremation could proceed, as forming a trust and finalising the location would require additional formalities.

Dr Singh, known for his visionary economic reforms and his two-term tenure as Prime Minister, was widely respected for his humility and intellect. His passing has left a void in Indian politics, with tributes pouring in from across the globe.