NEW DELHI — The state funeral for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who played a pivotal role as the architect of modern India’s economic policies, took place on Saturday at Nigambodh Ghat, with dignitaries and countless citizens gathering to pay their final respects. Singh, who served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away on the evening of December 26, 2024, at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions.
Aflame with emotions, political leaders from various parties converged at Singh's funeral, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and top Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge. Notably, foreign dignitaries such as Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful, also attended the ceremony.
The funeral service began at 11:45 am and was conducted with full state honors, reflecting Singh’s significant contributions to not only India but also to international relations. His body, draped in the Indian flag and adorned with flowers, was transported from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, where thousands gathered to honor him, to Nigambodh Ghat, echoing with the chants of ‘Manmohan Singh lives forever’.
An emotional Upinder Singh, the late prime minister's eldest daughter, lit Singh's funeral pyre as Sikh priests recited verses from the Gurbani, evoking the deeply revered Sikh customs during the last rites. Amidst the ceremony, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and several other political leaders laid wreaths, honoring Singh’s legacy.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had confirmed the arrangements for the state funeral and announced there would be allocations for Singh’s memorial, which was also aligned with the requests from his family and Congress leaders. This act of allocating space for Singh's memorial has been much discussed among political commentators, particularly following criticism of the initial decision to hold the funeral at Nigambodh Ghat instead of Raj Ghat, where memorials for other prime ministers are located. Several leaders, including Punjab’s Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, voiced their objections to the government’s decision, calling it disrespectful to Singh’s stature as India’s first Sikh Prime Minister.
“It is inexplicable why the government is showing such disrespect to the great leader who was the only member of the Sikh community to rise to become the Prime Minister,” Badal stated on social media. “Dr. Manmohan Singh took the country to great international heights. Our political differences with Congress apart, we have always held Dr. Manmohan Singh in the highest esteem as he transcends politics and political affiliations,” he added.
Singh’s legacy, spanning his service as Finance Minister during the 1991 economic crisis to his tenure as Prime Minister where he oversaw significant economic reform, solidified his place as one of India’s most respected leaders. Allies and opponents acknowledged Singh's credentials as both a difficult reformer and steward of democracy. Commenting on Singh's impact, Congress MP Manickam Tagore termed him the “architect of modern India 2.0”, adding, “He was the one who took forward the work Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to establish.”
Singh’s contributions transcended national borders. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences, noting Singh’s pivotal role in shaping India’s economic policies. U.S. President Joe Biden also joined the chorus of international tributes by remarking on Singh’s work to strengthen U.S.-India relations. “A true statesman... charted path-breaking progress,” Biden stated, highlighting Singh’s vision during his leadership and its lasting impact.
Political leaders from across the spectrum also reflected on Singh’s quiet sense of service. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar honored Singh’s legacy for contributing to education and health rights during his tenure. Leaders such as Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu echoed calls to recognize Singh with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
Highlighting the sorrow felt by the public, thousands came out to pay their final respects, illuminating Singh’s role beyond politics as one who had deep connections with the common citizens. His humble beginnings and achievements drew admiration from leaders and citizens alike, propelling discussions around his living legacy.
The state funeral concluded under the heavy draping of the Tri-color, with the chanting of religious hymns echoing through the air, marking the end of Dr. Singh’s earthly presence, yet solidifying his enduring impact on India's path forward.
The outpouring of such respect at Singh’s funeral reaffirms the idea of unity and shared grief across political divides, as India acknowledges one of its foremost leaders. While questions loom around the site for his memorial, the universal respect he commanded is clear and firm, as politicians and citizens alike secure Singh’s place not just within the annals of political history, but within the hearts of millions as well.
