• By Sukanya Saha
  • Mon, 29 May 2023 12:50 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Sidhu Moosewala Death Anniversary: Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala was tragically killed on May 29, 2022. The incident occurred the day after the state police had revoked his security.

On Sunday, the residents of Jawaharke village in Punjab's Mansa district, gathered for prayer services, marking the one-year death anniversary of Moosewala, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh. The singer-turned-politician was fatally shot by a group of attackers in the village, which is merely a short 10-minute drive from their residence in Moosa village.

Moosewala's Fascination For Guns Turned Against Him:

Most of the Punjabi singer's songs focused on themes of rebellion, specifically gun culture and violence. This played a significant role in his popularity among the younger audience. On Instagram alone, the singer amassed a substantial following of more than 8.1 million fans.

The Guardian included the singer in their prestigious list of top 50 emerging artists in 2020. Following the success of his music career, Moosewala established his own record label in 2019, releasing numerous tracks under his name, including Mafia Style, Poison, Homicide, and Sidhu's Anthem.

Also read: Sidhu Moosewala Death Anniversary: Singer's Mother Charan Kaur Salutes The Spot Where Her Son Was Killed

Born on June 17, 1993, Sidhu Moosewala hailed from the Moosa village in Punjab’s Mansa district. The singer achieved fame during his twenties. However, his journey was not consistently smooth and joyful, as he faced several controversies.

Moosewala, who pursued music during his college years and later relocated to Canada, garnered fame for his gangster rap style. However, his songs and their lyrics often made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Infused with elements of Canada's style and culture, most of his songs had energetic beats and resonant bass. He tried to infuse a rural essence into his lyrics, adding a distinct touch to his music.

However, he faced frequent allegations of endorsing gun violence and drug abuse through his music. The 27-year-old artist's musical journey gained momentum with the release of the song Licence, which he penned and was performed by Ninja in 2016.

Upon the release of his song Jatti Jeone Morh Wargi in 2019, the singer faced severe backlash for portraying the 18th-century Sikh warrior Mai Bhago in a negative light. After this, numerous FIRs were filed against Moosewala, accusing him of both hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community and promoting violence. Nonetheless, the singer later apologised to people after being slammed for his song.

Moosewala's popular song Sanju created a heated controversy as he compared himself with Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt in the lyrics. The Punjabi singer released the song shortly after being granted bail in a case related to AK-47 firing, which further intensified the debate surrounding the track.

Sidhu Moosewala Faced Charges For Promoting Gun Culture

In 2020, the Punjab Police booked the singer under the Arms Act following allegations of promoting gun culture through his song Panj Goliyan.

However, the criticism directed towards the late singer extended beyond those aspects. In his song Punjab: My Motherland, he faced backlash for glorifying Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a Khalistani separatist. The music video included visuals from a speech delivered by Bharpur Singh Balbir, a supporter of the Khalistani movement, during the late 1980s.

The nation has been left stunned by the unexpected demise of the 27-year-old, which has sparked widespread indignation regarding the withdrawal of his security.

On May 29, 2022, the vocalist was shot multiple times while travelling in a jeep and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. One year after his death, the investigation into the murder of the popular singer is still underway.

Although a primary and additional charge sheets have been submitted to the Mansa court, the inquiry is yet to reach its conclusion. So far, 29 people have been apprehended, and two have lost their lives, with gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar being identified as the alleged masterminds behind the crime.