Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera on Saturday accused the state funeral of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of being a “shocking display of disrespect and mismanagement.”
Khera made a series of allegations surrounding the funeral, claiming that Singh’s family was given inadequate space around the pyre and that Home Minister Amit Shah’s motorcade disrupted the funeral procession.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khera said, “The disgraceful treatment of a towering statesman exposes the government’s priorities and lack of respect for democratic values. Dr Singh deserved dignity, not this shameful spectacle.”
Khera also pointed out that only Doordarshan (DD) was permitted to cover the funeral and the national broadcaster’s coverage focused primarily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, with “barely” any attention given to Singh’s family.
He said, “Only three chairs were kept in the front row for Dr Singh’s family. Congress leaders had to insist on seats for his daughters and other family members. Prime Minister and ministers did not stand up when the National Flag was handed to the widow of the late Prime Minister or during the gun salute.”
He further criticised the arrangements, saying that the family was given insufficient space around the pyre due to soldiers occupying one side, while the public was kept outside the venue.
“Amit Shah’s motorcade disrupted the funeral procession, leaving family cars outside. The gate was closed, and family members had to be located and brought back in,” Khera explained.
Khera also noted that Singh’s grandchildren had to “jostle for space” to reach the pyre. He said diplomats were seated elsewhere and were not visible during the proceedings.
“Shockingly, the PM did not stand when the King of Bhutan stood,” he added.
Khera described the entire funeral area as “cramped and poorly organised,” leaving no space for many participants in the procession.
Khera’s comments came shortly after the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described the manner in which Singh’s last rites were performed at Nigam Bodh Ghat as “totally insulting” to the former Prime Minister and the Sikh community.
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