Vowing to get justice for slain Manipuri musician, Rahul says violence has become fashionable among the powerful

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LokSabha) attends memorial of Manipur Musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who was allegedly beaten to death in Southeast Delhi recently, in New Delhi on September 10, 2026. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Speaking at a memorial meeting at the Ambedkar International Centre, Mr. Gandhi said that Singh’s murder in the national capital was not an isolated incident as such violence occurs repeatedly. “We stand against it, will fight and defeat it,” he said.

The 54-year-old Manipuri musician was beaten to death by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff when he objected to their shouting and drinking alcohol outside his Kilokari village apartment early on Monday. The police have arrested seven people and a minor has been detained in connection with the killing.

“It is something that 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,” Mr. Gandhi added.

The Opposition leader said it was a tragedy on many counts, as a talented person was murdered because of where he was from, at a time when the people of Manipur are already facing tragedies, again and again. “It is a tragedy because a son will never see his father and his parents will never see their son again,” the former Congress chief said.

Stating that he doesn’t believe in fighting violence with violence, he lauded the family for standing up for the ideas they believe in. “One should respond by stating that we are not going to accept this nonsense, we are not going to be pushed aside by this violence and stand against this violence,”he said.

In politics and life, Mr. Gandhi said, symbols are very important, and Singh is a symbol of love and affection. “We are extremely proud of him. We expect justice... We will get justice and we will not be scared or cowed down by violence,” he asserted.