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The Indian government has narrowed down the potential locations for the memorial dedicated to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to two sites: Ekta Sthal and Vijay Ghat. This decision follows a high-level meeting between officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on January 2nd. Ekta Sthal, already home to the samadhi of former President Giani Zail Singh, and Vijay Ghat, which houses the memorial of India's second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, were selected after careful consideration of several alternative sites. The proximity of these locations to other prominent memorials, such as Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi) and Shanti Van (Jawaharlal Nehru), underscores their significance in the national landscape. The final decision regarding the memorial's location is pending, with Urban Development Secretary K Srinivas tasked with informing Singh's family about the shortlisted sites.
The process of establishing the memorial involves the creation of a trust, with Singh's family being invited to nominate members. Land allocation will subsequently follow the formation of this trust. This development comes nearly a week after the Union government acceded to the Congress party's request for a memorial to honor the late Prime Minister, who passed away on December 26th. The announcement, however, follows a period of considerable controversy and political sparring. The initial cremation of Dr. Singh at Nigambodh Ghat sparked criticism from Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who viewed the choice of location as disrespectful to the former Prime Minister’s legacy. This criticism triggered a public back-and-forth, with BJP President J P Nadda defending the government’s actions and accusing the Congress of spreading misinformation. Nadda maintained that potential memorial sites had already been identified and communicated to the family.
The controversy further escalated when the Congress alleged that their request for a suitable memorial site had been disregarded. The government promptly responded with an official statement, clarifying that while the allocation of a memorial site was underway, the immediate funeral arrangements had to proceed independently. The statement highlighted the procedural steps involved in establishing a memorial, emphasizing the necessity of creating a trust and formally designating the land. The Home Ministry confirmed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had engaged in discussions with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Dr. Singh's family members on the matter. These discussions seemingly resolved the immediate conflict, paving the way for the announcement of the shortlisted sites. The selection of Ekta Sthal or Vijay Ghat reflects a pragmatic approach, balancing the desire for a prominent location with the existing infrastructure and the government's commitment to honoring Dr. Singh's legacy.
Interestingly, the present situation presents a curious irony. During his tenure as Prime Minister, Dr. Singh's UPA administration had adopted a policy opposing individual memorials, citing space constraints. In 2013, his cabinet passed a resolution advocating for a consolidated memorial ground – Rashtriya Smriti Sthal – at Raj Ghat. This policy decision, however, hasn't prevented the current government from ultimately agreeing to a separate memorial for Dr. Singh. The conflicting positions highlight the complex political considerations surrounding the creation of memorials, where policy and political pragmatism often intertwine. The events surrounding Dr. Singh's final rites and the subsequent discussions regarding the memorial serve as a case study in the delicate balance between respecting a former leader's legacy and navigating the intricate landscape of Indian politics. The selection of Ekta Sthal or Vijay Ghat, along with the establishment of a trust and the eventual allocation of land, will mark the culmination of a process that has been fraught with both political tension and respectful remembrance.
Source: High-level meeting held; government shortlists Ekta Sthal, Vijay Ghat for Manmohan Singh’s memorial