Singer-actor-politician Sidhu Moosewala shot dead in Punjab

Less than 24 hours after his security cover was withdrawn by the Punjab government, singer-actor Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu aka Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead near his ancestral village Moosa in Mansa, Punjab. He was 27 years old.

Sidhu was travelling in his SUV with two friends to the village Jawahar Ke today when they were fired upon by unknown assailants. The singer-actor was found slumped in his seat bleeding profusely and taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.

Sidhu, who created a niche for himself with his rapping style, was known for hit tracks like 'Legend', 'Devil', 'Just Listen', 'Jatt Da Muqabala' and 'Hathyar'. His track ‘So High’, which came out in 2017, won him the Best Lyricist award at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards. He also sang for Punjabi movies like Ardab Mutiyaran (2019), Sikander 2 (2019) and Teri Meri Jodi (2019).

Last year he became an actor with two releases, Moosa Jatt (2021) and Yes I Am Student (2021).

In December, he joined the Congress and contested as a candidate of the party from Mansa in the assembly election in February this year. He lost by a huge margin to Aam Aadmi Party candidate Dr Vijay Singla. Incidentally, Dr Singla was sacked last week as Punjab's health minister by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on charges of corruption.

Sidhu himself was no stranger to controversy and was often caught on the wrong side of the law, but his songs also broke records, with many featuring in the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 charts.

He created a stir by allegedly misusing the name of 18th century Sikh warrior Mai Bhago in his track 'Jatti Jeonay Morh Di Bandook Wargi'. Sikh religious organizations demanded his arrest for hurting sentiments. He later apologized.

Sidhu was also facing charges of promoting violence and gun culture through his song 'Sanju'.

With assets of Rs7.87 crore as per his election affidavit, the singer-turned-politician, who loved to ride in an open SUV, was also facing four criminal cases, including two on charges of obscenity.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was deeply shocked and saddened. "Deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of promising Congress leader and talented artist Sidhu Moosewala," Gandhi tweeted. "My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and fans from across the world."

Chief Minister Mann tweeted, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the gruesome murder of Siddhu Moose Wala. 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.”