The assassination of prominent politician Baba Ziauddin Siddique in a busy area of Mumbai has left the nation in shock. The 66-year-old was fatally shot on Saturday night near his son’s office while getting into his car. Although rushed to the hospital, Siddique later succumbed to his injuries.
Who Was Baba Siddique?
Baba Siddique, a highly influential political figure, was a member of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, a state where Mumbai serves as the capital. Originally from Bihar, he moved to Mumbai as a child and began his political career in the 1980s with the Congress party, eventually holding a seat in the state legislature for several terms. Known for his charisma and connections, Siddique often made headlines for his grand iftar parties, attended by Bollywood celebrities, notably Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, who famously reconciled at one such event in 2013.
In February 2024, Siddique left Congress and joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), aligning with the state’s current ruling coalition, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena.
The Attack and Investigation
Siddique was gunned down in the busy Bandra area when three assailants fired six to seven rounds, hitting him in the chest and abdomen. A bystander was also injured during the shooting. The attackers reportedly distracted Siddique’s security detail with a smoke firecracker before fleeing.
So far, police have arrested three men, recovering firearms and ammunition. Investigators believe the suspects are linked to the notorious Bishnoi gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been in jail since 2015. Despite being imprisoned, Bishnoi’s name frequently surfaces in connection with high-profile criminal activities, including the murder of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moosewala in 2022. A Facebook post claiming responsibility for Siddique’s murder has been attributed to Bishnoi’s gang, though the police have yet to verify the post’s authenticity.
Political Fallout and Reactions
Siddique’s assassination has triggered a political firestorm in Maharashtra, with opposition leaders condemning the state government for failing to protect such a high-profile figure. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge blamed the incident on a breakdown in law and order, while Delhi’s former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the killing had shaken the entire nation.
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, has vowed that those responsible, including the Bishnoi gang, will face justice. The murder, happening just weeks after Siddique reportedly received death threats, has further intensified scrutiny on the state government’s handling of security in the run-up to the next assembly elections.
