Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 31st Dec. The passing of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, widely respected for his humility and transformative economic reforms, has been overshadowed by a controversy rooted in the Gandhi family’s political opportunism. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s comments following his cremation exemplify a deeply entrenched pattern within the Congress party—one of exploiting moments of national grief for political gain while conveniently disregarding its own track record of neglecting the legacies of past leaders.
To fully grasp the extent of this hypocrisy, it is important to revisit the treatment of former Prime Ministers during the Congress-led government under Dr. Manmohan Singh. Leaders such as P.V. Narasimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 Dec 2004), Chandra Shekhar (17 April 1927 – 8 July 2007), Vishwanath Pratap Singh (25 June 1931 – 27 Nov 2008), and I.K. Gujral (4 Dec 1919 – 30 Nov 2012) all passed away while the Congress was in power. Yet:
- None of these former Prime Ministers were accorded state funerals with full honors by the Congress government.
- None were allocated a Samadhi Sthal (memorial site) in Delhi, despite their significant contributions to the nation.
- None had their funerals attended by key Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, or even the then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh himself.
This consistent disregard for its own leaders’ legacies starkly contrasts with the Congress party’s current attempt to manipulate sentiments around Dr. Singh’s passing, underscoring a selective narrative aimed at reaping political mileage from a solemn occasion.
Politicizing Grief: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s Calculated Remarks
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s tweet, accusing the BJP government of neglecting Dr. Manmohan Singh’s legacy, typifies this opportunistic approach. Claiming that the Modi government did not provide adequate arrangements for the cremation, Vadra attempted to incite discontent within the Sikh community, casting the BJP as dismissive of both Dr. Singh’s contributions and Sikh sentiments.
पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री डॉ मनमोहन सिंह जी के अंतिम संस्कार के लिए यथोचित स्थान न उपलब्ध कराकर सरकार ने पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री के पद की गरिमा, मनमोहन सिंह जी की शख्सियत, उनकी विरासत और खुद्दार सिख समुदाय के साथ न्याय नहीं किया।
इससे पहले सभी पूर्व प्रधानमंत्रियों को सर्वोच्च सम्मान और…
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 28, 2024
Yet, these allegations crumbled swiftly when the Union Home Ministry announced its plans for a memorial to honor Dr. Singh. The decision, promptly communicated to Singh’s family and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, demonstrated a level of respect that transcended political divides. Priyanka’s attempt to create a narrative of neglect, therefore, rings hollow, exposing her broader strategy of exploiting grief to stoke communal divisions and malign the ruling BJP.
The Double Standards of the Congress Party
The Congress’s feigned outrage over Dr. Manmohan Singh’s cremation arrangements is ironic when juxtaposed against its own history. The deaths of P.V. Narasimha Rao, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Chandra Shekhar, and I.K. Gujral were treated with notable indifference. Rao, in particular, was subjected to shocking humiliation by the Congress party, which refused to allow his cremation in Delhi, forcing his body to be flown to Hyderabad.
This disregard for Rao, who was arguably one of Bharat’s most transformative Prime Ministers, highlights the party’s selective valuation of its leaders based on political convenience. When contrasted with Priyanka’s theatrics following Dr. Singh’s death, the hypocrisy becomes glaringly apparent.
A Pattern of Divisive Politics
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s actions echo a broader trend within the Congress party. Her comments resemble her brother Rahul Gandhi’s rhetoric during his public engagements abroad, where he has repeatedly claimed that minorities in Bharat are under siege. This narrative, designed to portray the ruling government as oppressive, often relies on exaggerations and unfounded allegations.
However, such statements stand in stark contrast to Congress’s own history. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, orchestrated in the wake of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, remain a dark stain on the party’s legacy. Congress leaders like Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler were directly implicated in leading mobs that massacred thousands of Sikhs. Despite the severity of these crimes, the Congress not only shielded these individuals but also rewarded them with political positions, betraying the very community it now claims to defend.
By invoking the Sikh identity of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Priyanka seeks to position herself as a champion of Sikh dignity. Yet, this attempt falls flat when viewed against the Congress party’s historical treatment of Sikhs. The calculated use of grief to sow division within a community is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy of leveraging communal sentiments for electoral gain.
Trivializing Civilizational Issues
Beyond the politicization of Dr. Singh’s death, the Congress’s leadership has also displayed a pattern of trivializing issues of civilizational importance. Akhilesh Yadav’s recent comments mocking Hindu sentiments surrounding the restoration of temples are a case in point. His snide remark about a hypothetical Shivling under the Chief Minister’s residence in Lucknow not only disrespected deeply held beliefs but also diverted attention from the genuine cultural and historical efforts to reclaim lost heritage.
This tactic of derailing important conversations for political expediency reflects a leadership style that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term accountability. For leaders like Akhilesh Yadav and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, such strategies are attempts to re-galvanize their voter bases amidst declining relevance.
Conclusion: A Need for Dignified Leadership
The Gandhi family’s actions following Dr. Manmohan Singh’s death are a stark reminder of the depths to which political discourse in Bharat can sink. By exploiting moments of national grief for political gain, they have not only disrespected the legacy of one of Bharat’s most respected leaders but also eroded the dignity of democratic debate.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s remarks, designed to stoke divisions and malign the BJP, are emblematic of a broader culture of opportunism within the Congress party. This culture prioritizes narrative-building over national unity, casting doubt on the sincerity of their concerns for the Sikh community or the dignity of public office.
Bharat deserves a political culture that rises above such tactics—one that respects the solemnity of loss and upholds the dignity of its leaders. As the nation reflects on Dr. Singh’s contributions, it is incumbent upon all political actors to honor his legacy with the respect it warrants.
Ultimately, the electorate must decide whether to endorse a politics of privilege and opportunism or to demand leadership that values humility, integrity, and genuine service. Dr. Manmohan Singh’s life and work stand as a testament to these virtues—qualities that Bharat must aspire to uphold in its political future.
The post From Mourning to Manipulation: The Gandhi Family’s Troubling Exploitation of National Mourning appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
