Manmohan Singh funeral Highlights: Former PM cremated with full state honours

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Britain’s secretary of state for foreign affairs David Lammy credited former PM Manmohan Singh for laying the foundations of the “thriving” bilateral partnership between India and the UK.

In a post on X he said, “Dr Manmohan Singh’s bold economic reforms transformed India’s economy. His legacy continues to shape modern India, and his vision laid the foundations for today’s thriving UK-India partnership. My deepest condolences to his family and the Indian people."

Manmohan Singh funeral live: BJP national president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda accused the Congress party of 'politicising' former PM Manmohan Singh's demise and engaging in 'cheap politics' over his memorial.

Addressing the media on Saturday, JP Nadda said, “It is indeed very unfortunate that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and current president Mallikarjun Kharge are not refraining from doing politics even on the sad demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Congress, which never gave respect to Dr Manmohan Singh while he was alive, is now doing politics in the name of his respect.”

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Saturday said that performing the last rites of former prime minister Manmohan Singh at Nigambodh Ghat was a "deliberate attempt to erase" his immense contributions from public memory.

"The BJP government's decision to deny Dr. Manmohan Singh's family the right to perform his last rites at a befitting site for his memorial is a direct insult to his towering legacy and the Sikh community. Refusing the family's request and relegating a two-term Prime Minister to Nigambodh Ghat reeks of arrogance, bias and a deliberate attempt to erase his immense contributions from public memory," he said in a post on X.

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Singapore PM Lawrence Wong on Saturday expressed his condolences for the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh who "reshaped" India's economy and set the stage for its “remarkable growth”.

In a letter to current PM Modi, he said, “Singh was a statesman who reshaped and liberalised India’s economy through his vision and determination. This set the stage for India’s remarkable growth and emergence as a key regional and global player.”

Manmohan Singh funeral live: The Gujarat Congress will hold a "shradhanjali sabha" (condolence meeting) for former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday.

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Bhupinder Singh Hooda told news agency PTI that Dr Manmohan Singh was a an honest and intelligent man, mourning the loss of the former PM.

“ He was an honest and an intelligent person. He was also a farsighted person. He brought economic reforms when he was the finance minister of the country. He also ended the License Raj and brought liberalisation which changed the economic situation of the nation,” he said.

Manmohan Singh funeral live: In a post on X dedicated to former PM Manmohan Singh after his funeral at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday, PM Modi paid his respects to the veteran politician and economist.

“Paid last respects to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. His service to India will always be cherished,” he said.

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d'affaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, expressed condolences to the country over former PM Manmohan Singh's death and said that Palestine stands with Singh.

“Palestine is with the former PM of India, Manmohan Singh. We have a history of relationship with him when he was in the Ministry of Finance in 1991. When he became the PM in 2004, he had met the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas many times,” he said.

Manmohan Singh funeral live: After attending the funeral of former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi said, “India has lost its son. We are very sad and emotional as we are coming from his funeral. There cannot be another Manmohan Singh.”

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC commented on the issue of allocating a separate memorial for former PM Manmohan Singh and called it a controversy engineered by the Congress for media attention.

"The question raised by Congress is sheer controversy-driven. Let them be reminded that they never built a memorial for former PM Narasimha Rao who was a leader of their party. Why build a controversy out of nothing? The Congress party should move beyond unnecessary politics and media limelight."

Manmohan Singh funeral live: UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed his sadness over the death of Dr Manmohan Singh in a statement issued by spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

“The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the passing of Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. Singh played a pivotal role in India’s recent history, particularly in shaping its economic trajectory,” the statement said.

"As Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Singh oversaw a period of significant economic growth and development in India. Under his leadership, India also strengthened its collaboration with the United Nations, contributing actively to global initiatives and partnerships," they added.

The UN chief also expressed his condolences for the former PM's family and the people of India.

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Union minister Ramdas Athawale responded to a controversy surrounding building a memorial for former PM Manmohan Singh and said that the home ministry was deliberating on the subject.

He said, "The home ministry is deciding on dedicating a memorial to him and we all pay our respects to him. BJP's statement that he was not respected as much as he deserved is factual."

Manmohan Singh funeral live: AAP leader and minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has said that the former PM's cremation taking place at Nigambodh Ghat was a ‘shame’.

“I was stunned that a former PM's cremation was happening in Nigambodh Ghat. It's a shame. The central government has stooped so low that they couldn't give space to a former PM for cremation. What was the point of this memorial? The entire nation is hurt by this,” he said.

Manmohan Singh funeral live: Karnataka's deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar spoke to news agency ANI after former PM Manmohan Singh's memorial and said that it feels like the veteran politician is still alive due to his contributions.

“We feel he is still alive. All his contributions to the country have given us strength. He brought the Right to Education, Right to Information, Aadhar Card and several others,” he said.

On the issue of allocating space for a memorial for former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi tells ANI: "He gave a lot to the nation and worked towards the nation building...The government should allocate space to him...He should be given the respect he deserves..."

In a tribute to former Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh, the national flag of Mauritius will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings until sunset today, Mauritius Prime Minister's office has announced.

A special prayer ceremony was held at the Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong for Dr Manmohan Singh, former PM of India, who passed away on December 26. As a mark of respect to the late former Prime Minister and in solidarity with the Government and people of India, all national flags across the country and at Bhutan’s Embassies, Missions, and Consulates abroad are being flown at half-mast, reports ANI.

"It is moving to be here at Nigambodh Ghat for the funeral of former PM Manmohan Singh. I have known him for a very long time. I have also served the government when he was the PM. I have the highest admiration for him. He has left a great legacy behind and has been a transformational PM... He has achieved so much for the nation that we should never forget what Dr Manmohan Singh has done for the nation," Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tells PTI.

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was laid to rest with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi.

Former PM Manmohan Singh's daughter lighted his funeral pyre at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi.

Sikh priests and family members of former PM Manmohan Singh recited verses from Gurbani before the last rites.

After leaders and dignitaries paid their last respects at Nigambodh Ghat, former PM Manmohan Singh's mortal remains were taken for the final rites at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi.

The last rites of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will be performed shortly at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, Congress leaders, and others are present at Nigam Bodh Ghat.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar laid a wreath on the mortal remains of former prime minister Manmohan Singh at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat.

President Draupadi Murmu paid her last respects to ex-PM Manmohan Singh before final military honours at the Nigambodh Ghat.