Father Of Economic Reforms In India Did Not Receive A State Funeral

Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao, popularly known as P. V. Narasimha Rao, was an Indian lawyer, statesman, and politician who served as the 9th Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996. He held several key positions in the Indian government during his career, making significant contributions to the country’s political landscape

P. V. Narasimha Rao was associated with the Indian National Congress (often referred to as the Congress Party). He played a significant role within the party and held various key positions during his political career. Notably, he supported Indira Gandhi in the formation of the New Congress party in 1969, which later regrouped as the Congress (I) party in 1978. Rao served as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Andhra Pradesh.

Sonia Gandhi, the former president of the Indian National Congress, did not allow the mortal remains of P. V. Narasimha Rao to enter the All India Congress Committee (AICC) compound. His body remained parked in a carriage outside the gate. Despite being hailed as the “father of economic reforms in India,” Rao did not receive a state funeral. This treatment was in stark contrast to other leaders, such as Sanjay Gandhi, who presided over controversial programs during the Emergency, yet received a state funeral and a samadhi in Delhi.

One of the first people to arrive at Rao’s house was Chandraswami, the bearded guru who had known him since 1971. Later, dignitaries like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee paid their respects as Rao’s body, adorned with flowers, was displayed