At the funeral of the young Punjabi rap star who was killed on Sunday in his hometown, posters were seen calling for justice and tattoos on the face of Sidhu Moose Wala.
Emerging artist, born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, had become a huge hit in his few years on stage due to his ability to combine rap and traditional music in a way that blurred international boundaries.
Thousands of supporters and family attended the service in Mansa, Punjab, on Tuesday.
Fans could be seen holding placards saying “we need justice” as members of his family overlooked the mourning crowd and thanked them for their support.
Moose Wala and two others were driving in Mansa on Sunday evening when they were shot. The 28-year-old rapper was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the murder is ongoing, but local police have already stated that they believe it was the result of a gang rivalry.
A day before the attack, local media reported that the Punjab government had withdrawn security coverage for more than 400 people, including Moose Wala, in an attempt to crack down on VIP culture. The musician joined the Congress Party of India last year and ran in the state assembly elections for a second seat.
Moose Wala attended Humber College and lived in Brampton for several years while making a name for himself in the music industry.
His lyrics became the focus of Indian police in 2020 when he was accused of allegedly promoting the culture of weapons in one of his songs.
The reaction to Moose Wala’s death was swift and garnered sympathy from artists around the world, including rap superstar Drake.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said “no culprit will be spared” as the investigation unfolds and he was shocked and saddened by the assassination.