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

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition (LokSabha) attends a memorial service for Manipur musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who was allegedly beaten to death in South East Delhi recently, in New Delhi on September 10, 2026. | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (September 10, 2026) asserted that it has become fashionable for the powerful to believe they can be violent and arrogant and vowed to get justice for Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh.

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 was repeated. “We stand against it, we will fight and we will defeat it,” he said.

A 54-year-old Manipuri musician was beaten to death by a group of deliverymen and dhaba workers when he protested against their shouting and drinking outside his Kilokari village apartment early Monday morning. The police arrested seven people in connection with the murder, and a minor was detained.

“It is something that has become fashionable these days that if you are powerful you can be violent. If you are powerful you can be somewhat arrogant, somehow you can do whatever you want,” Mr Gandhi added.

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

Stating that he does not believe in fighting violence with violence, he praised the family for standing up for the ideas they believe in. “One should respond by saying that we will not accept this nonsense, we will not be pushed by this violence and we will 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 intimidated or intimidated by violence,” he said.

Published – 11 Sep 2026 0:35 AM IST