On Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the context of the state of law and order in Punjab, reminiscing about the killing of a singer, Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala in Sangrur during a party rally in 2022. Gandhi asked the Bhagwant Mann-led government for protection for the singer who was accompanied by his father, Balkaur Singh Sidhu, on stage.
The Congress formally started the campaign in Wahal Punjab ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in this year 2027. In his speech, he dwelled upon the event of his first encounter with Moosewala prior to his entry into Congress and how he was a talented and energetic young man who was set on doing something for Punjab and the country.
Moosewala had fielded a Congress candidate in the Punjab Assembly but failed to win the elections from his home constituency of Mansa.
Gandhi had claimed that he had allowed the singer to join the party because he thought Moosewala deserved an opportunity to do service work in politics. He also added that it was imperative to give the young singer political support.
The Congress leader claimed that Moosewala had started to receive threats after interacting with them, and that his security had been withdrawn just days before his killing. Moosewala was shot dead by unknown gunmen on May 29, 2022 in Mansa district who were believed to be affiliated with Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
It is a reminder of what happened to him when he was stripped of all security, and the singer was murdered in broad daylight, which has once again raised doubts about the circumstances of the killing, Gandhi recalled.
Gandhi also said that the killing of Moosewala was no anomaly as the law and order situation in Punjab had turned “bad”. He said threats, intimidation and violence were growing threats against talented young people who were looking to build their future with hard work.
What has happened to his son has now turned into a trend in Punjab, Gandhi said, blaming the Punjab government for failing to manage security and gang issues.
The Congress chief appealed to the state to provide a conducive atmosphere for youngsters to give free run to their ambitions. Moosewala’s killing has also been brought to the forefront of politics, as the opposition parties continue to raise questions about the government’s handling of gang-related violence and public safety matters ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in 2027.