Baba Siddique Assassinated: Mumbai Ex-Minister Gunned Down on Dussehra Night

Baba Siddique gunned down in son’s office, raising questions about security and political tensions

In a chilling turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Mumbai’s political circles, former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was fatally shot on Saturday night, casting a pall over the city’s Dussehra celebrations. The brazen attack, which occurred in the office of his son Zeeshan Siddique, a sitting MLA, has not only robbed the city of a veteran politician but also raised alarming questions about the safety of public figures and the state of law and order in Maharashtra’s capital.

A Life Cut Short

Baba Siddique, a seasoned politician known for his ability to bridge divides – both political and personal – was more than just a former minister. He was a fixture in Mumbai’s social scene, famous for hosting lavish iftaar parties that once famously reconciled Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. His journey from a three-time Congress MLA to a recent member of the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP was marked by nearly five decades of public service.

The Fatal Night

On what should have been a festive Dussehra evening, gunshots shattered the peace in Bandra, one of Mumbai’s most affluent neighborhoods. Around 9:30 PM, assailants fired three bullets at Siddique in his son’s office. Despite being rushed to the nearby Lilavati Hospital, Siddique succumbed to his injuries, with at least one bullet striking him in the chest. The attack also left one of his aides wounded.

Swift Action and Lingering Questions

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was quick to address the situation, announcing the arrest of two suspects – one from Uttar Pradesh and another from Haryana – while a third remains at large. “This incident is extremely unfortunate,” Shinde stated, emphasizing his commitment to preventing a “gang-war-like situation” from resurfacing in Mumbai.

However, the assassination of a politician with Y-level security in a high-profile area has raised serious concerns. Opposition leaders, including former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, have pointed to this incident as a stark indicator of deteriorating law and order in the state.

Political Ripples

The timing of this tragedy, just months ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, adds a layer of political tension to an already volatile situation. Siddique’s recent switch from the Congress to the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) had already stirred the political pot. Now, his untimely death threatens to escalate political rivalries and debates over security measures for public figures.

A City in Mourning

As news of the shooting spread, politicians across party lines expressed their shock and condolences. The presence of Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt at the hospital underscored Siddique’s wide-ranging influence and the deep impact of his loss on Mumbai’s social fabric.

In the coming days, as investigators work to unravel the motives behind this brutal act, Mumbai finds itself at a crossroads. The city must now grapple not only with the loss of a prominent political figure but also with unsettling questions about the safety of its leaders and citizens alike.

As the festival lights dim and the city mourns, the echoes of those fatal gunshots serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the ever-present specter of violence that can shatter it in an instant.