An Indian politician has been shot dead in the commercial capital, Mumbai. Gunmen opened fire on Baba Siddique, 66, near the office of his son, who is also a politician, according to local media reports. Two people have been arrested in connection with the killing. Siddique, a former local minister, was a senior figure in the politics of Maharashtra state, which is expected to hold legislative polls next month. In February he defected from Congress, India's main opposition party and joined the unrelated regional National Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the governing coalition of the BJP. Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, from the same party as Siddique, said he was shocked by the "cowardly attack".
Siddique was known for lavish parties and for close ties to Bollywood superstars. The shooting happened with high security in place due to a major Hindu festival in the city. Opposition parties have criticised the government, saying there was a major lapse in security. The state government has promised a thorough inquiry.
Though two suspects have been taken into custody, the motive is not clear. Police are searching for a third suspect. Some Indian media report the suspects have said they were from a gang run by notorious criminal Lawrence Bishnoi. Bishnoi is currently serving a jail sentence for his involvement in several high-profile murder cases, including the killing of the Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022. The shooting came weeks after Siddique's security detail was upgraded following death threats.
The Bishnoi Gang Connection
The alleged involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in the murder has sent shockwaves through the political and criminal circles of India. The Bishnoi gang is known for its violent activities and has been linked to several high-profile crimes in recent years. The gang is said to be active in several states of India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The gang is also known for its involvement in extortion, smuggling, and land grabbing.
Lawrence Bishnoi himself is a notorious criminal who is currently serving a jail sentence for his involvement in several high-profile cases. In 2022, the gang was accused of killing the Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in Punjab. The gang has also been accused of involvement in several other high-profile murders, including that of a prominent businessman in Delhi. The alleged involvement of the Bishnoi gang in the murder of Baba Siddique is a serious matter and has raised concerns about the law and order situation in India.
Baba Siddique's Political Career and Bollywood Connections
Baba Siddique's political career spanned over several decades, with his journey beginning in the Congress party during his teenage years in 1977. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a key figure within the Bandra Taluka Youth Congress by 1980. His close association with veteran Congress leader Sunil Dutt paved the way for Siddique to secure his first electoral victory as an MLA from Bandra West in 1999, a seat he successfully defended for three consecutive terms. His tenure as Maharashtra's Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies, Labour, FDA, and Consumer Protection from 2004 to 2008 solidified his reputation as an able administrator and a staunch advocate for communal harmony.
Siddique was not confined to legislative chambers; he was equally adept at navigating Bollywood's intricate dynamics, earning admiration for his role in reconciling the infamous feud between superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. Siddique was a familiar face in Mumbai's entertainment circles, renowned for hosting lavish Iftar parties that brought together luminaries from both politics and Bollywood. These gatherings became iconic for their ability to transcend social barriers, uniting many of diverse backgrounds and some who carried longstanding grudges against each other. One such event in 2013 became the stuff of legend as Siddique orchestrated a reunion between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, who had drifted apart following a highly sensationalized rift. At the height of tensions between the two stars, Siddique strategically seated Shah Rukh next to Salman's father, the legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, during his Iftar party. The symbolic gesture thawed the icy relations and restored camaraderie between Bollywood's two biggest stars.
The Aftermath and the Investigation
The murder of Baba Siddique has sent shockwaves through the political and entertainment circles of India. The incident has also raised concerns about the law and order situation in Mumbai. Police are investigating the murder from all angles and have questioned several suspects. The investigation is ongoing and it is likely that more information will come to light in the coming days.
The families of the accused are grappling with shock and disbelief. The mothers of the young men implicated in the murder claimed they knew little of their sons’ activities in recent months. One of the arrested suspects, Dharamraj Kashyap, 19, hails from Uttar Pradesh. His mother, speaking to ANI from their home in Bahraich, expressed disbelief at the accusations, saying her son had left home two months ago to work in a scrapyard in Pune. Similarly, the mother of an absconding suspect also spoke out, claiming she was unaware of her son’s activities in Mumbai. The grandmother of the second arrested suspect, Gurmail Singh from Haryana, expressed a sense of betrayal.
The murder of Baba Siddique is a tragic reminder of the violence that can plague even the most affluent cities in India. The investigation into the murder is ongoing, and it is hoped that justice will be served for Siddique and his family.
A Nation Mourns
Baba Siddique's killing has drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with senior politicians offering condolences while expressing outrage over the escalating violence in Maharashtra. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was among the first to react, calling Siddique's murder “shocking beyond words.” In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge said, “The tragic demise of former Maharashtra Minister, Baba Siddique, is shocking beyond words. In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and supporters. Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra government must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount.”
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed similar sentiments. “The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail,” Gandhi wrote about his former colleague on X. The ripple effects of Siddique's assassination reached beyond Maharashtra. Jitan Ram Manjhi, former Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), expressed sorrow over the loss of a fellow leader with roots in Bihar. “The news of the murder of Baba Siddiqui, one of the tall leaders of NCP, who hailed from Bihar, is very saddening,” Manjhi said in a post on X. “He was a lively person. We request the Almighty to grant him a high place in his abode and grant patience to his loved ones.”
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi joined the chorus of condemnation. In his post, Owaisi said, “Baba Siddique's murder is highly condemnable. It reflects the deteriorating state of law & order in Maharashtra. May Allah grant him maghfirah. My condolences to his family, friends & colleagues.” Within the NCP, Siddique's murder has prompted the cancellation of all scheduled party events. In a statement on X, the NCP announced, “Keeping in view the tragic death of our party colleague Baba Siddique, all party programmes for October 13, 2024 (Sunday) stand cancelled.” Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and NCP's National President, also cancelled his highly anticipated Jansanman Yatra, which was to take place in Amravati today. Shiv Sena-UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the murder. Chaturvedi, reacting with shock to the news of Siddique's death, extended her condolences to Siddique's son, Zeeshan, who is also a rising politician. “Shocked to hear about Baba Siddique being shot dead. My condolences to Zeeshan Siddique, wishing him and his family lots of strength in their toughest moment. This lawlessness in the city is unacceptable and should be probed by CBI,” Chaturvedi said.
