Satnam Singh Gambhir, the East India President of the All India Sikh Students Federation, has strongly criticized the central government for denying the request of Manmohan Singh's family to perform his last rites at Rajghat. Gambhir described the refusal as a "highly reprehensible act" and called it an insult to both the former Prime Minister and the Sikh community at large.

In a statement issued earlier today, Gambhir stated that Manmohan Singh, the country’s only Sikh Prime Minister, deserved to be treated with the same respect and dignity as other former Prime Ministers, particularly in light of his decade-long service to the nation. He noted that it has been a tradition to conduct the last rites of former prime ministers at Rajghat, irrespective of the duration of their tenure. He added, "While the last rites of former prime ministers with shorter tenures have been honored at Rajghat, the denial to a leader who guided the country for 10 years is a clear disrespect."

Gambhir expressed his dismay over what he called a discriminatory act against the Sikh community. He highlighted the contributions of the Sikh community to India’s growth and progress, saying, "The Sikh community has made significant sacrifices for this nation, and yet, they are continuously discriminated against by the government." He pointed out that if such treatment could be meted out to a former Prime Minister, it reflects the broader marginalization of the Sikh community within the country.

Further condemning the government's actions, Gambhir remarked, "The central government has shown no regard for the issues of imprisoned Sikhs, the farmers, or now the Sikh Prime Minister's family. This attitude towards the Sikh community is deeply troubling and creates a sense of alienation among the minority community."

He concluded by urging the central government to respect the sentiments of Manmohan Singh’s family and the Sikh community, asserting that such discriminatory actions only exacerbate divisions in the country. "The contributions of the Sikh community to India’s progress cannot be overlooked, and their dignity must be upheld," he said.