Sharmistha Mukherjee, the daughter of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, has launched a scathing attack on her brother, Abhijit Mukherjee, after he defended the Congress Party in a controversial statement related to the memorial of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The family dispute, which unfolded publicly, was triggered by remarks Abhijit made in response to Sharmistha’s comments about Congress’ handling of her father’s passing and memorialization.
The controversy began when Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a separate memorial for Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2023, at the age of 92. This sparked a debate within the political circles and prompted Sharmistha Mukherjee to compare the handling of memorials for her late father and Singh. She claimed that when Pranab Mukherjee passed away in 2020, Congress did not hold a condolence meeting for him, despite his significant contributions to the country. According to Sharmistha, a senior Congress leader told her that such memorials were not necessary for Indian Presidents, a statement that left her deeply upset.
In contrast, her brother Abhijit Mukherjee, a former Congress Member of Parliament, defended his party’s actions, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused restrictions during their father’s passing. He pointed out that during the height of the pandemic, strict guidelines were in place, limiting gatherings, which is why the Congress Working Committee (CWC) was unable to convene for Pranab Mukherjee’s obituary. He clarified that despite the restrictions, several prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and others, visited the family to pay their respects. Abhijit further added that while there was no immediate CWC meeting for Pranab Mukherjee’s obituary, the Congress eventually took corrective measures.
Sharmistha, however, strongly disagreed with her brother’s justification and took to social media platform X to express her anger. In a sharp rebuke, she wrote, “Shame is on the person who, for some petty crumbs, wants to rejoin a party whose followers abuse his father day-in & day-out in the most vilest manner.” She went on to refer to Abhijit as “truly ‘dented-painted.’ SICK!”—a reference to his infamous remark about the Nirbhaya gangrape case protests, which had generated significant public outrage. Sharmistha also attached screenshots of Abhijit’s previous statements, where he had accused Congress of humiliating their father.
The dispute between the Mukherjee siblings highlights the deepening rift within the family and the contentious nature of politics in India. While Sharmistha remains outspoken about her disappointment with Congress, Abhijit continues to defend the party’s actions, arguing that the pandemic created challenges beyond their control. The Mukherjee family’s personal feud over the treatment of their father’s legacy has further fueled public interest, especially amid the ongoing political debates surrounding the memorial for Manmohan Singh.
As the controversy surrounding the memorials and the political tensions within the Mukherjee family persist, Sharmistha, who is also a prominent political figure in her own right, has emphasized that the Congress Party’s behavior towards her late father should not be overlooked. Meanwhile, Abhijit has expressed his support for Congress’ call for a memorial for Manmohan Singh, reiterating that such actions should not be a source of controversy.
The family’s dispute comes at a time when the political landscape is already fraught with tensions, and the disagreement between the siblings adds a new layer of complexity to the situation. As both Sharmistha and Abhijit continue to voice their differing perspectives, the fallout from this public family feud is likely to be a topic of discussion in the coming days.
