One of India’s most prominent Punjabi hip-hop artists, who was shot to death last year, left behind a family that used his memorial service as a way to demand justice.
Sidhu Moose Wala, the day after India’s new government removed his state security, was gunned down by unknown gunmen.
Balkaur Singh, his father, addressed the crowds and raised slogans against government officials, saying that “crimes and gangsters in jail have internet access and they are giving interviews on TV, whereas the government has closed down internet for the general public”.
He added, “This was done to silence our voices demanding justice for our son.”
Gurvinder Singh, a friend of the family, stated: “We have the person who fired the gun, but who are those behind it?”
“His father literally said [police should] investigate these people.”
Sandy Joia, his childhood best friend, was from Kent to witness the ceremony. Sidhu also stayed with Sidhu while in Britain.
He stated, “Sidhu’s impact can be observed all over the world.
“The UK parliament raised the issue because he held a resident permit, and he was PR [permanent resident] for Canada.
“But our primary concern is the Indian government. He was paying more than PS200,000 in tax per year. This government is doing nothing.”
The cartridges found after Sidhu’s murder were examined for evidence. They showed that Sidhu used an AK47 rifle, a.30-bore pistol, and four to five 9mm pistols. His vehicle bore more than 25 bullet marks, and there were many more near the crime scene.
According to police, 27 people including six gunmen were arrested in connection to the murder. However, the investigation is ongoing.
VK Bhawra (the state’s top cop) said that the initial investigation had revealed that the murder was linked to “inter-gang rivalry.”
The family is not happy with the pace of investigations and their findings, and they do not believe that his murder was gang-related.
The memorial service was held in his village of Moosa. Young and old came from all over the Punjab to pay their respects.
Avijeet, five of his friends, and Sidhu’s photograph were all worn T-shirts by Sidhu as they traveled from Mohali.
He stated, “There is no one else like him, and there will never be anyone like him.”
He is our hero and our pride in the world.
“His loss is like a piece of me being cut off.”
Sidhu’s popularity is unmatched, with an ever-increasing fanbase even after his passing.
His videos and songs transcend borders and are viewed hundreds of millions of time. So High is the most viewed song in the world with 645 million views.
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It was 2018’s “So High” that launched his music career in India, and among the Indian diaspora in the UK and Canada.
Many of his songs featured hard-hitting hip-hop beats and were about guns, revenge, gangs, and interwoven with political and emotive issues.
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He was described as a pioneer in his community and was often a collaborator with artists from UK, such as the rappers MIST, StefflonDon, and Steel Banglez.
He was the first Indian singer to perform in Wireless Festival, and he won four BritAsia TV music Awards awards.
Many of the music’s biggest names paid tribute to him, including Drake from Canada and Burna Boy from Afrobeats.
He tried his hand at politics as well, but was unsuccessfully elected as a candidate for the Indian Congress Party in the Punjab elections.
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