"Mindset of Killers Roaming Punjab": Rahul Gandhi's Explosive Attack at Sangrur Rally
At a Sangrur rally, Rahul Gandhi warns that the mindset behind Sidhu Moosewala's murder is still roaming Punjab and slams the state's law and order.
In a powerful and emotionally charged address at the Congress "Insaaf Rally" in Sangrur, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi sounded a grim alarm regarding the security climate in Punjab. Invoking the memory of the late Punjabi superstar Sidhu Moosewala, Gandhi claimed that the ruthless "mindset" responsible for the singer's assassination is now pervasive across the state.
A Heartfelt Tribute and a Warning
The rally took an emotional turn when Rahul Gandhi altered his planned speech after being greeted by Sidhu Moosewala's father. In a gesture of solidarity, Gandhi called the grieving father onto the stage, recalling a poignant conversation they had during a previous visit to the family home.
"You told me a very deep thing at that time. You said, 'Rahul ji, when a father dies, when a mother dies, it brings sorrow, but a father who has to witness the death of his son, there is no greater pain in this world than that,'" Gandhi recounted.
Gandhi asserted that the brazen nature of Moosewala's murder has become a "fashion" in Punjab. He argued that anyone possessing talent or skill who wishes to progress and contribute to the state or country is now being targeted, threatened, and murdered in broad daylight without fear of the law.
Recalling the First Meeting with Moosewala
Sharing a personal anecdote, Rahul Gandhi described his first encounter with the singer years ago when Moosewala visited his office expressing a desire to join the Congress party. Gandhi recalled being impressed by the young man's dynamism and tattoos, though he admitted he hadn't heard his music at the time.
However, Gandhi revealed that he had harbored concerns about the singer entering the volatile world of politics. He stated that he felt Moosewala was stepping into a "dangerous place" without fully grasping the risks involved, and that he had attempted to provide the singer with "political protection" rather than physical security.
The Controversy of Withdrawn Security
The Congress leader pointedly highlighted the circumstances surrounding the murder, noting that Moosewala's security was removed shortly before he was gunned down in a black SUV in broad daylight. This incident, which occurred on May 29, 2022, in Jawaharke village of Mansa district, remains a point of intense political contention.
Connecting Crime, Drugs, and Unemployment
Expanding his critique to the overall state of Punjab, Gandhi linked the rise of gangsterism and violence to a lack of economic opportunity. He criticized the ruling administration for failing to curb the drug menace and the decline of industry and agriculture.
- On Drugs: Gandhi claimed that when he first spoke about the spread of drugs in Punjab, he was dismissed by the BJP and Akali Dal.
- On Economy: He argued that the absence of factories, industries, and viable farming leads directly to the rise of drugs and street violence.
Context of the Violence
Sidhu Moosewala's death saw the security of the singer and 424 others withdrawn by the Punjab police just one day prior to the attack. The case has seen the involvement of high-profile accused figures, including gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, who is accused of planning the hit.
These remarks come at a critical juncture as political parties gear up for the 2027 state assembly elections, setting the stage for a fierce battle between the BJP, Congress, and the incumbent AAP, which dominated the 2022 polls with 92 out of 117 seats.