Rahul Gandhi vows justice for slain Manipuri musician Vikram Singh

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday vowed to fight hatred and seek justice for slain Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, saying violence and arrogance had become increasingly common among the powerful.

Speaking at a memorial gathering for Singh at the Ambedkar International Centre, Gandhi said incidents of violence against people from the Northeast and other communities were happening too frequently.

“It has become a fashion these days that if you are powerful, you can be violent. If you are powerful, somehow you can be arrogant, somehow you can do whatever you feel like,” Gandhi said.

Calling Singh’s death a tragedy for his family and the people of Manipur, Gandhi said the musician was attacked in the national capital because of where he came from.

“It doesn't matter whether it is a mistake or not. Whether he was killed or not, there was violence, hatred and arrogance in the act,” he said.

Gandhi said violence should not be answered with violence or hatred, and urged people to respond by defending their values and refusing to be intimidated.

“We are not going to accept this nonsense, we are not going to be pushed aside by this violence,” he said.

Describing Singh as a symbol of “love and affection”, Gandhi said, “We expect justice...we will get justice and we will not be scared or cowed down by violence.”

Former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who also spoke at the gathering, said the killing was shocking for the entire country, particularly people from the Northeast.

“Manipur is a part of India and though small in size, it is a state of India. How long can we tolerate this type of attitude towards Manipur and the Northeast,” he said.

He also criticised the BJP-led government over the situation in Manipur and alleged that a “divide and rule” policy was being followed.

Singh, 54, was allegedly beaten to death by delivery workers and dhaba staff after he objected to them shouting and drinking outside his apartment in Kilokari early Monday, police said. Seven men have been arrested and a minor detained in connection with the case.

Gandhi had earlier criticised the Modi government over the killing and sought a thorough investigation.

Singh’s mortal remains were flown to Imphal on Wednesday, where family members performed his last rites. He had lived in Delhi’s Kilokari for more than two decades and was the lead guitarist of Manipur rock band Phoenix before working as a music teacher and performer.