Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recalled meeting late singer Sidhu Moosewala before his 2021 party entry on Wednesday. At the Insaaf Rally in Sangrur, Rahul called him a "dynamic and talented young man." He said, "I felt that he was entering a dangerous field," noting he wanted to offer him political protection.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday recalled his first meeting with the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala before inducting him into the party in 2021, describing him as a "dynamic and talented young man". Rahul was addressing the 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur, Punjab when he invited the late singer's father onto the stage.
Recalling his meeting with the late Punjabi singer at his office, Rahul said he had not heard Moosewala's songs or even his voice at the time but had been told that he was a good person, a musician and wanted to join the Congress.
"He was an impressive young man. He walked into the room with tattoos. I had not heard his songs or even his voice at that time," Rahul said, adding that he decided to induct him into the party based on his impression of the singer.
Rahul further said he had a sudden feeling that Moosewala was entering a "dangerous field", although nobody had told him anything to that effect.
"I felt that he was entering a dangerous field. I don't know why I got that feeling," he said.
Explaining what he meant by the remark, Rahul said he wanted to protect Moosewala politically, not physically, as the singer was a young man entering politics and was unfamiliar with its workings.
"I felt I should protect him in my own way. I did not mean physical protection. I meant political protection," Rahul said.
Moosewala was shot dead in a firing incident at Jawaharke in Mansa district on May 29, 2022. He, along with his cousin and a friend, was driving in a Mahindra Thar jeep to Jawahar Ke, 10km from his native Moosa village, when he was ambushed and killed by six shooters.
More than 30 bullet marks were found on the jeep. Moosewala was rushed to the civil hospital in Mansa in a critical condition where he was declared dead. The 29-year-old singer had joined the Congress in December in 2021 and unsuccessfully contested 2022 Punjab elections on a Congress ticket from Mansa district.