From Sidhu Moosewala to Mad Sandhu: A safety question for all

Behind every headline is a life lost, a family left grieving, and questions about whether the violence could have been prevented.

Every shooting reported in the news leaves behind more than the immediate details of a crime. It leaves families searching for answers and communities questioning their safety. In Punjab, a series of killings and shooting incidents involving singers, sportspersons, political figures and social media personalities have brought these concerns into focus once again.

From Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot dead in 2022, to the reported killing of influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar in October 2026, the incidents have raised questions about investigations, accountability and the steps needed to prevent further violence.

The cases involve different individuals and circumstances. Some victims were killed, while others survived shooting attempts. There is no basis to assume that all the incidents shared the same motive. However, each has added to a wider public discussion about personal safety and the protection of people going about their lives.

Lives lost in different circumstances

On May 29, 2022, Sidhu Moosewala, a popular Punjabi singer and Congress leader, was shot dead while travelling in an SUV in Jawaharke village in Mansa district. His killing triggered widespread concern and led to a murder investigation.

On March 14, 2022, international kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambia was shot during a tournament in Mallian Khurd village in Jalandhar district. The attack took place at a sporting event attended by spectators.

In November 2022, Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri was shot during a protest in Amritsar. In April 2024, Vikas Prabhakar, popularly known as Vikas Bagga, a local VHP leader, was shot dead at his shop in Nangal.

While there have been other incidents involved people who survived attacks. Punjabi music composer and lyricist Bunty Bains survived a shooting incident in Mohali in February 2024. In December 2025, kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria, also known as Kanwar Digvijay Singh, was shot during a tournament in Sohana, Mohali, in front of  the spectators.

The incidents differ in their circumstances and outcomes, but they raise questions about the circumstances surrounding such attacks and whether credible threats can be identified and addressed before violence occurs.

Violence beyond the public spotlight

The deaths of social media personalities have also drawn attention to the safety of people whose work places them in the public eye.

In June 2025, the body of influencer Kanchan Kumari, known as Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, was found inside a car in Bathinda. Police said she had been strangled. Reports linked the investigation to objections over her online content, but the motive must be established through evidence and investigative findings.

The reported killing of Mad Sandhu, a Punjabi influencer, makeup artist and LGBTQ+ content creator, in Amritsar on October 3 this year, renewed attention to violence involving people known for their online presence and creative work. The motive should not be assumed without supporting evidence.

These cases do not establish that fame, online activity, or personal identity was the reason behind every attack. They nevertheless raise questions about how people can pursue their professions and express themselves without fear of violence or harassment.

A person’s profession, public profile, opinions or identity cannot justify violence. The right to safety and dignity applies equally to those known to millions and those whose lives remain outside the public spotlight.

Questions that remain after the headlines

The impact of such incidents extend beyond victims and their families. Reports of shootings can leave ordinary people wondering whether similar violence could affect someone in their neighbourhood, at their workplace or while attending a public event.

These concerns deserve answers, but individual cases alone cannot establish whether crime is increasing across Punjab. That assessment requires comparable crime data over time rather than conclusions drawn from prominent incidents alone.

Responsibility for addressing violence rests with the institutions tasked with public safety and justice. Police investigations must establish the facts, examine evidence, and pursue those responsible. Courts must determine guilt through due process, while public institutions must communicate verified information.

Media organisations also have a responsibility to report these cases accurately, distinguishing allegations from facts and avoiding speculation about motives.

Communities can contribute by refusing to normalise threats, harassment and violence. However, responsibility for preventing an attack must not be shifted onto victims because of their profession, public profile or personal choices.

Behind every report of a killing are relatives, friends and colleagues left to deal with a loss that cannot be reversed. The consequences extend beyond the moment a crime occurs, affecting families and the wider communities around them.

The question is not whether prominent people deserve safety because they are famous. It is whether every person can live, work and express themselves without fear of violence.

When another shooting makes headlines, the immediate details may explain what happened. The more important test lies in what follows: whether investigations establish the truth, accountability is pursued, and lessons are translated into effective action. Without those answers, the questions raised by each new incident will continue to return.