It is surprising to see how many talents the entertainment industry has lost whether it be due to accidents or murders. The things that we see happening to a rising celebrity or singer raise a very minuscule question: what about the security of people entering this field?

The murder of singer-politician Sidhu Moosewala has once again brought a network of gangsters from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to light. These criminal organizations are known to collaborate as they fight for dominance in the area. One of the reasons for his death is also connected to inter-gang rivalry.

Well, this incident took place two days after Moose wall's security cover was withdrawn in an action taken against the VIP culture in the state. Now the major issue that arises is how the criteria used to evaluate a protectee's security threat within the State and how the report of a security withdrawal came to be known to the public. In India, the security for dignitaries is provided by the police and the local government on the basis of information delineated by the intelligence bureau which comes under the ministry of home affairs.

The Chilling Details Of Moose Wala's Death

On 11 June 1993, a Jat Sikh family in the Moosa village in Mansa district of Punjab Subhdeep Singh Sidhu was born to Balkaur Singh and Charan Kaur. Graduated in electrical engineering from Guru Nanak dev engineering college in the year 2016 Moose Wala was highly admired and was influenced by the rapper Tupac Shakur. He chose the stage name Moose Wala as a tribute to his home village of Moosa.

The very first song that was released by Moose Wala was "G wagon" while he lived in Brampton Canada. His breakthrough in the music industry was through his gangster rap "so high" in collaboration with Byg Byrd. In June 2019 his concert at the Surrey music festival was canceled due to the violent activities which took place in his last concert.

The most rivalry that we know of him is with Karan Aujla, both used to reply to each other through songs and social media handles. Additionally, both singers have come under fire for singing songs that glorify violence. When Sidhu's song that targeted Aujla was leaked to Aujla's management, they threatened to attack Sidhu. Elly Mangat, who was both Sidhu and Aujla's then-colleague, revealed this in an interview. Both began pursuing one another on social media after the incident. The conflict was temporarily resolved until Aujla and Moose Wala each released diss tracks, "Lafaafe" and "Warning Shot," respectively.

In an interview, Aujla claimed that he did not pen the song "Lafaafe," but he did not discuss their rivalry and instead praised Sidhu's work. His song "Jatti Jeone Morh Wargi," which features the name of Mai Bhago, a 17th-century Sikh warrior woman, was deemed offensive by Sikh leaders in September 2019. Sikh delegations and Akali Dal leaders complained about Moose Wala in Mansa and Bathinda after demanding a ban on the song. After making an apology on social media, Moose Wala attended a hearing before the Sikh religious body Akal Takht in March 2020.

Supporting the farmers' protest against the 2020 Indian agriculture acts, Moose Wala released the single "Panjab: My Motherland" in December 2020. It featured speeches from Bharpur Singh Balbir, a supporter of Khalistan, and footage of orthodox militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Khalistan, according to Moose Wala in an interview, is a "pure place", much like it was when Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled and adherents of all religions coexisted there.

Moose Wala was charged with four crimes as of 2022 for encouraging gun violence problem and abuse. Two of them involved obscene scenes.

Now looking at his political career he actively campaigned for his mother who won the sarpanch election in Moosa village. Sidhu joined Congress on 3 December 2021 and contested in Punjab assembly elections which he lost by obtaining only 20.52% of votes from the Mansa constituency. Well quite liked amongst the people of his district, wasn't he?

On 29 May 2022 around 4:30 P.M. Moose Wala left his house along with his neighbour Gurwinder Singh and cousin, Gurpreet Singh for his aunt's house in Barnala. Two cars intercepted his vehicle at Jawaharke and blocked it. There were around 30 shots fired during the incident injuring the other two sitting with him. It was also seen that Sidhu in retaliation fired two rounds from his pistol but obviously it was of no use considering the automatic assault rifles that were used against him. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead by the doctors.

The 22-year-old Haryana folk singer Harshita Dahiya was fatally shot after receiving multiple shots. Men in Panipat blocked her car and forced her and others inside, where they were shot in the head and neck at close range. Police reported that she passed away instantly. After performing in a village in Panipat, the singer, who specialized in Haryana folk songs, was traveling back to Delhi.

The Security Cover Criteria
We know that recently Vivek Agnihotri the director of Kashmir files was granted Y category security with CRPF by the ministry of home affairs. The choice was made in response to criticism of the movie "from some quarters and concerns that some communities may be hurt" by the way the filmmaker presented the events.

In India, the police and the local government provide security for dignitaries. Depending on the perceived level of threat, the choice of whether to offer VIP security to a political figure or specific individual is made. Which security category will be given to the individual is decided after intelligence departments have evaluated the threat. The Prime Minister, the President, Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs, bureaucrats, former bureaucrats, judges, current judges, businessmen, cricketers, movie stars, saints, and occasionally regular people receive high category security based on perceived threats.

The government is obligated to provide security if there is any perception that VIPs are in danger. A person who perceives a threat submits an application to the police station closest to their house. The intelligence agencies are then contacted to determine whether the subject is threatened.

Upon confirmation of the threat, a committee made up of the Home Secretary, Director General, and State Chief Secretary determines which level of security should be assigned to the subject.

Following that, the Union Home Ministry receives the person's information for formal approval. Different organizations, such as the SPG (Special Protection Group), NSG (National Security Guards), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), are in charge of providing different categories of security to VIPs. The 'Z +' category offers security to highly skilled people, leaders, players, and movie stars. NSG offers extensive VIP and VVIP security under the "Z Plus" category. The Prime Minister is additionally protected by numerous NSG commandos through the Special Protection Group (SPG).

The Punjab police withdrew the security of Moose Wala on a "pick and choose basis rather than actual threat perception" it was a result of populist action taken by the government. The law and order is a state subject and it is the state which has to take the decision but the big question that arises is how the information which has to be kept as a secret was publicized. This move was more politically motivated rather than on the basis of actual threat perception.

Is There A Need For Framing Separate Laws For The Protection Of People Related To The Entertainment Industry?
Well, this is an interesting question. Celebrities are only known for the things they do. Actors, musicians, singers, etc. They become famous because other people are curious about them after learning about them from their craft or from participating in activities related to them. I strongly believe that there is a need for separate laws for people related to the entertainment field whether it be actors, singers, musicians, or directors.

A separate set of laws should be made for the security of these people and certain criteria set for providing them with the security. It could be anything from the success of their movies and songs or the contents of it whether it hurts the sentiments of a particular community or is there someone who'd be affected negatively by their success and impose a threat to their lives. I think this all can be taken into consideration by the intelligence bureau and security should be provided to people from the entertainment industry so that we don't lose the nation's talents.

References:

• Sidhu Moose Wala murder: Lawrence Bishnoi confirms gang rivalry; names Goldy Brar as conspirator | India News - India TV (indiatvnews.com)
• Bishnoi versus Bambiha: Moosewala 's murder brings gang wars back in focus | Cities News, The Indian Express
• Sidhu Moosewala killing: HC asks Punjab why security was pruned, how info became public| Cities News, The Indian Express
• National Simplicity Day 2022: Histor, theme, significance and all you need to know (news9live.com)
• Who get Z+, Z, Y and X security in India and why? (jagranjosh. com)

Written By:

1. Navin Kumar Jaggi
2. Varishtha Parasar