The Union government has announced seven days of national mourning as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who died at the age of 92 on Thursday, December 26. The last rites of the former Prime Minister will be conducted with full state honours. All government programmes scheduled for Friday will be cancelled and the Union Cabinet will hold a meeting at 11 am, sources said.
The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on the days of mourning throughout India on all buildings where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the days during the period of national mourning. The news of Dr. Singh's demise was confirmed by AIIMS New Delhi.
"With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh aged 92. He was being treated for age related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the medical emergency at AIIMS. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 pm,” said the hospital in a statement.
The Congress has cancelled all its programmes for seven days as a mark of respect. Taking to X, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal wrote, "As a mark of respect for the departed former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh ji, all official programmes of the Indian National Congress, including the Foundation Day celebrations stand canceled for the next seven days.
"This includes all the agitational and outreach programs. Party programmes will resume on January 3, 2025. The party flag will be flown at half-mast during this period of mourning."
Manmohan Singh’s last intervention in Parliament was against demonetisation, describing it as an "organised loot and legalised plunder”.