Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala shot dead a day after govt withdraws security

Famous Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead on Sunday by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Mansa district, a day after the state government withdrew his security cover.

Deputy superintendent of police (Mansa) Gobinder Singh told PTI that several bullets hit Moosewala, 27, who was travelling along with his two friends in a jeep when he was attacked at village Jawahar Ke.

Mansa civil surgeon Ranjeet Rai told reporters that Moosewala was brought dead at the civil hospital. He said that the two others who also sustained bullet injuries have been referred to another hospital.

He had fought on the Congress ticket from Mansa assembly seat in the recent assembly election and was defeated by AAP's Vijay Singla.

Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, known as Sidhu Moosewala, was among the 424 people whose security was withdrawn by the Punjab Police on Saturday.

Leaders of the Congress and other political parties expressed shock and anger over the killing of Moosewala and attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government for withdrawing his security cover.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said no one involved in the gruesome murder will be spared and appealed for calm.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the gruesome murder of Siddhu Moosewala. Nobody involved will be spared. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his fans across the world. I appeal everyone to stay calm,” said Mann in a tweet.

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who played a major role in bringing Moosewala into the Congress fold, said he was "shocked beyond belief and expression" and demanded dismissal of the Aam Aadmi Party government.

''He was showered with bullets in Mansa just 2 days after @BhagwantMann govt withdrew his security. @AAPPunjab govt has lost moral authority. It must be dismissed,” said Warring in a tweet.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who had earlier questioned the state government after the names of the people whose security was withdrawn became public, too demanded action against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

"We have been warning Punjab Govt to pay attention to Punjab's situation. I demand an FIR against Bhagwant Mann for negligence of his Chief Ministerial duties which has cost the life of #sidhumoosewala. Bhagwant Mann along with @ArvindKejriwal should be booked u/s 302,'' he said.

Former chief minister Amarinder Singh alleged that law and order has completely collapsed in Punjab.

''Criminals have no fear of law. AAP Punjab government has miserably failed. Nobody is safe in Punjab!"

The others whose security has been removed included former MLAs, two Jathedars of Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Kesgarh Sahib, heads of Deras and serving and retired policemen.

Moosewala had joined the Congress last year ahead of the Punjab assembly polls.

The singer had faced criticism from several quarters for promoting gun culture in his songs. He had also been booked for allegedly promoting violence through his song ''Sanju''.

He was booked under the Arms Act and the Disaster Management Act in Barnala after photographs showing him firing an AK-47 rifle at a firing range during the COVID-19 lockdown appeared on social media.

Calling Moosewala's murder shocking, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said culprits will be given the “harshest punishment”.

The AAP national convener urged public to maintain peace.

"Sidhu Moosewala's murder is saddening and shocking. I just spoke to Punjab CM Mann sahib. Culprits will be given the harshest punishment. I request everyone to remain strong and maintain peace. May God give peace to his soul," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Kejriwal's tweet came in response to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's tweet on the incident.

In Mumbai, artistes from the film and music industries on Sunday expressed shock over the popular Punjabi singer's untimely demise after he was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Mansa district.

Comedian Kapil Sharma took to Twitter and remembered him as a "great artist, a wonderful human".

"Satnam shri waheguru. Very shocking and very sad, a great artist and a wonderful human being, may god give the strengths to his family," the comedian wrote.

Musician Vishal Dadlani called Moosewala an "authentic modern artist" and said his courage and legacy will never be forgotten.

"I only knew #SidhuMoosewala through his music, yet the news of his demise has cut deep. India has very few authentic modern artists. He was right on top of that list. I'm without words. He's a legend, his voice, his courage & his words will never be forgotten. What a sad day!"

"Terrible news coming in from Punjab.. this is not right RIP #sidhumoosewala you legend! Angry and sad!" actor Karan Kundra tweeted.

Actor Himanshi Khurana wrote she was "speechless".

"RIP brother," she tweeted.

Actor Gautam Rode said he was "at a loss for words" while actor Zareen Khan dubbed his passing away as "absolutely devastating and shocking".

Musician Armaan Malik also took to Twitter and said he "shocked and devastated"

"Terrible news. Extremely shocked to hear about #SidhuMoosewala May his soul rest in peace," singer Harshdeep Kaur tweeted.

Popular TV host Rannvijay Singha called it a "shocking news" and wrote he could not believe Moosewala was no more.