The government is considering two possible locations for the memorial of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26 at the age of 92. One option is Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, the designated site for the last rites of former leaders. The other is near Kisan Ghat, the memorial of India’s fifth PM, Chaudhary Charan Singh. Both sites are situated near the Yamuna River, and a decision is expected in the coming days.
Government Confirms Allocation of Space
On Saturday, BJP President J.P. Nadda confirmed that the government has allocated space for Singh’s memorial. Additionally, he mentioned that Singh’s family has been informed about this. However, the precise location of the memorial has not been revealed yet. According to a government source quoted by TOI, “A society usually handles the development and maintenance of the memorial. The process will take time.”
Consideration for Larger Space
In an interview, Union Minister Hardeep Puri indicated that the government is considering the possibility of allocating a larger space for the memorial. Currently, the Raj Ghat complex hosts 18 memorials, including those of former presidents and prime ministers. Notably, Sanjay Gandhi and Lalita Shastri, the late wife of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, are the only exceptions.
Political Decision on Memorial’s Size
Although Manmohan Singh’s memorial could be constructed at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, allocating a larger space will likely be a political decision. This follows the government’s decision in 2000 to stop creating new memorials due to concerns over limited land in Delhi. At present, the 18 memorials in and around Raj Ghat occupy over 245 acres of prime land. Moreover, former PM PV Narasimha Rao was the first to receive a memorial at Smriti Sthal, which was completed in 2015.