The announcement made at the closing ceremony of the year-long celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence caught even Sports Minister M.S. Gill, who attended the function, unawares.

"It has been decided that in memory of the heroes of the 1857 uprising, a `Minar' will be erected in Delhi. The names of the thousands of people who took part in the rebellion will be etched on it. It will be built near Kashmere Gate," Singh said.

Preceding the HRD Minister's speech, Gill in his address had requested Singh that a memorial should be built for the people who laid down their lives in the First War of Independence.

The announcement by Singh was surprising as the implementation committee for the celebrations of the 1857 rebellion in its last meeting held on April 28 had failed to take a final decision on building a memorial.

The committee, headed by Singh, had shortlisted Kashmere Gate and the Samadhi area in the capital for building a memorial, but a final decision had not been taken, sources said.

Earlier, Singh faced some uncomfortable moments at the function, with a senior citizen objecting to his presence, alleging that his forefathers had supported the British during the 1857 revolt.