Centre to construct memorial for Pranab Mukherjee amid row over Dr Manmohan Singh's site
PTC Web Desk: While deliberations continue over a memorial site for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, sparking a political controversy, the Union Government has announced plans to construct a memorial for former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Sharmistha Mukherjee, the late President’s daughter, shared the development on social media platform X after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She expressed gratitude for the decision to honour her father with a memorial at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, a designated area in Rajghat for Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and Prime Ministers.
“Called on Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji to express thanks & gratitude from the core of my heart for his government’s decision to create a memorial for Baba. It’s even more cherished as we didn’t ask for it. Immensely touched by this unexpected but gracious gesture,” Sharmistha wrote.
She also emphasised her father’s belief that state honours should not be requested but offered. “Baba used to say that state honours shouldn't be asked for, but should be offered. I'm so grateful that PM Modi did this to honour Baba's memory,” she added.
The announcement comes amidst a heated debate over the selection of a memorial site for Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier urged the government to ensure Dr Singh’s last rites were conducted at a location suitable for a memorial.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the delay, describing it a “deliberate insult” to India’s first Sikh Prime Minister. However, the BJP refuted the claims, pointing to Congress’ own history of not honouring former leaders like PV Narasimha Rao.
“The Congress never built a memorial for Narasimha Rao in the 10 years they were in power (2004-2014). It was only under PM Modi in 2015 that a memorial was instituted, and he was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 2024,” BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan said.
Adding to the controversy, Sharmistha Mukherjee revealed that the Congress did not convene a condolence meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) following her father’s death in 2020. She alleged being misled by senior party leaders.
“When Baba passed away, the Congress didn’t even bother to call a CWC condolence meeting. A senior leader told me it’s not done for Presidents. That’s utter rubbish. Baba’s diaries reveal that a condolence meeting was held for KR Narayanan, and the message was even drafted by Baba himself,” she wrote.
Amid the growing political slugfest, the Home Ministry confirmed that efforts are underway to select an appropriate site for Dr Manmohan Singh’s memorial. Sources indicate discussions are ongoing with his family, with the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal being one of the proposed locations.
- With inputs from agencies
