'Not Veer Savarkar', Congress student wing demands Delhi college be named after Manmohan Singh
New Delhi/IBNS: The naming of a brand new college in Delhi after right-wing ideologue VD Savarkar has sparked controversy with the Opposition Congress and its student wing, the NSUI demanding that it should be named after former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who died on Dec 26.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone for the Veer Savarkar College on Friday.
The NSUI has written to PM Modi, making three demands: A world-class college under the University of Delhi named after Dr. Manmohan Singh; a Central University dedicated to his name; and the inclusion of his life story from a post-partition student to a global icon in academic curricula and political sphere.
"Dr. Singh's legacy as a scholar, economist, and public servant embodies resilience, merit, and dedication to public welfare. Naming institutions after him will inspire generations and honor his transformative vision," the student body's letter read.
The Congress has pointed out that there are numerous freedom fighters in the country and the government can choose from that pool.
Even the Delhi University can be named after a freedom fighter, the party said, backing its allegation that Savarkar was no freedom fighter.
"There were many freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty and freedom of the country. Had they named the college after either one of them, it would have been a tribute to them," said Congress MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain.
"But since the BJP has no leaders or icons, they are promoting and legitimising those who supported the British Raj," he added.
Meanwhile, the BJP, though continued its attack on the Congress over the issue of "respect" for Manmohan Singh that started on the day of his cremation.
"We have been allotting land for Manmohan Singh at 12.03 am. That is the NDA government. Even the Prime Minister went to pay his respects. But where is Rahul Gandhi? He is in Vietnam. Let the Congress say where he is. You did not respect Manmohan Singh when he was alive. At least give him respect now that he is dead," said BJP MP Manoj Tiwari.
Rahul Gandhi accuses govt of insulting Manmohan Singh with cremation site choice
The controversy surrounding the choice of the site for Manmohan Singh's cremation and memorial intensified after Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of "insulting" the former prime minister’s memory.
Dr. Singh, who served as India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away at the age of 92 on December 26 at AIIMS Delhi.
His last rites were performed today at Nigambodh Ghat with full state honours.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticised the choice of the site, calling it an "insult" to Dr. Singh.
"The great son of Mother India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat. He was the Prime Minister of India for a decade, during his tenure the country became an economic superpower and his policies are still the support of the poor and backward classes of the country," Gandhi had posted on X.
"Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience. Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community," he had added.
The BJP was quick with its response, rebuking Congress for raising the issue on the day of Dr. Singh's cremation.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had criticised Gandhi’s comments, accusing him of dragging Indian politics to a "new low."
"This is a new low in politics of India, thanks to the Congress party. The kind of politics Congress is doing, especially Rahul Gandhi - who has tweeted about the cremation - is shameful. We in a cabinet meeting after the demise of the former PM Manmohan Singh - decided that since he was the PM and had a big stature - the cabinet wrote a letter to Congress and Dr. Singh's family - where the cabinet said that we should build a memorial in his name so that the country and the world remember him for his positive works," Patra said in a press conference.
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