On Wednesday the family of Top streaming rapper Sidhu Moose Wala who was shot dead on May 29, 2022, organized an Antim Ardas ceremony (the last prayer) for him. The ceremony of antim ardas is to pay tribute after the cremation. Sidhu’s body was brought to his home in Moosa village amid tight security on May 31, from a civil hospital and a funeral ceremony took place on that day.
Sidhu’s Last Prayer took place at Baharli Anaj Mandi in Mansa.
Wala was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jawaharke village of Punjab’s Mansa district. Only a day after his security was withdrawn by the Punjab police among 424 others.
His body had 19 bullet injuries and he died within 15 minutes of being shot, according to the post-mortem report, which also stated that the cause of his death was “haemorrhage shock” due to antemortem firearm injuries.
The Punjab Police on Tuesday said that they have arrested eight people so far in connection with the murder. They have been held on the charges of providing logistic support, conducting recce and harbouring the shooters of the singer, said police. Police also said they have identified four shooters who were involved in the crime.
The 28-year-old singer had joined the Congress party in December last year. He had fought on the Congress ticket from Mansa assembly seat in the recent assembly election and was defeated by AAP’s Vijay Singla.
Before his fame he was in good relations with the Punjab Police, with the state top cop even retweeting his song.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of promising Congress leader and talented artist, Sidhu Moosewala. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and fans from across the world,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
“The murder of Shri Sidhu Moose Wala, Congress candidate from Punjab & a talented musician, has come as a terrible shock to the Congress party & the entire nation. Our deepest condolences to his family, fans & friends. We stand united & undeterred, at this time of extreme grief,” the Congress tweeted.
Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill said Moose Wala was killed in “a shootout”.
“Shocking to hear about death of #sidhumoosewala in a shootout-not sharing the videos received via WhatsApp due to sensitivity but shot at many times,” he tweeted.
In another tweet, he said, “Since AAP has come to power in Punjab, law&order has seen a downward trend: >Broad-daylight murders > Violent clashes in Patiala > RPG attack on Punjab Police >Sidhu Moosewala Shot dead. Law & Order crumbling like pack of cards in AAP regime-Bhagwant Mann must respond.”
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa hit out at the AAP government in Punjab for withdrawing security of several people across the state and then publishing the list in newspapers which makes them a direct target.
Former Punjab chief minister and Punjab Lok Congress leader Amarinder Singh slammed the Bhagwant Mann-led government in the state, saying “criminals have no fear of law”.
“Brutal murder of Sidhu Moosewala is shocking. My profound condolences to the bereaved family. Law and order has completely collapsed in Punjab. Criminals have no fear of law. @AAPPunjab government has miserably failed. Nobody is safe in Punjab!” he tweeted.
Sidhu Moose started his career as a songwriter for the song “License” by Ninja, and began his singing career on a duet song titled “G Wagon”. Following his debut, he collaborated with Brown Boyz for various tracks which were released by Humble Music.
He gained wide attention with his track “So High”. In fall 2018, he released his debut album PBX 1, which peaked at 66th on Billboard Canadian Albums chart. Following the album, he started releasing his songs independently. Also, his single “47” with British dancehall/hip hop rapper Stefflon Don, Mist and Steele Bangles was ranked on UK Singles Chart. In 2020, Sidhu was named by The Guardian among the top 50 new artists. Ten of his songs have peaked on UK Asian chart, two of which have topped the chart. His “Bambiha Bole” entered in top five on Global YouTube music chart.
In 2021, Moose Wala released Moosetape, tracks from which charted globally including Canadian Hot 100, UK Asian, and New Zealand Hot charts. He had faced legal challenges for promoting gun culture and using inflammatory and inciting lyrics in his songs.
