Political Violence in Mumbai: The Tragic Assassination of Baba Siddique
Mumbai, India’s bustling financial capital, was recently jolted by the cold-blooded murder of Baba Siddique, a well-known leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bandra West. His assassination, which occurred in broad daylight on a fateful Saturday, has once again thrust the city’s long-standing issue of political violence into the spotlight. As authorities investigate potential links between Siddique’s killing and the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, this incident underscores the persistent influence of organized crime in Mumbai’s political landscape.
A History Marred by Bloodshed
The tragic murder of Baba Siddique is not an isolated event. It is, in fact, a part of a dark and troubling history of political assassinations in Mumbai, a city that has seen numerous politicians fall victim to underworld machinations over the decades. Since the 1960s, nearly half a dozen political figures have been targeted and killed, exposing the deep-seated nexus between politics and organized crime that continues to plague Mumbai.
Bandra West: A Political Battleground
Baba Siddique’s home turf, the Bandra West constituency, has a history of political violence that has claimed the lives of several notable figures. Siddique represented this constituency from 1999 to 2014, during which time he made a significant mark on the political scene. Yet, the area’s political landscape has often been shaped by bloody rivalries and underworld connections.
One of the earliest victims of this political bloodshed was Ramdas Nayak, who was elected from Kherwadi in 1978 on a Janata Party ticket. Nayak later ran unsuccessfully for office on a BJP ticket from Vandre, the renamed Bandra West constituency. His political career came to a tragic end when he was brutally assassinated by members of a gang linked to Chhota Shakeel, a notorious figure in Mumbai’s criminal underworld.
The Chilling Ambush of Ramdas Nayak
On the day of Nayak’s assassination, six men associated with Chhota Shakeel lay in wait, including the infamous gangster Firoz Kokni and his accomplice Soni. Armed with AK-47 rifles, they opened fire on Nayak and his security team, killing them instantly before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. Despite the police’s efforts to bring the culprits to justice, the legal battle was long and arduous, with most of the accused being acquitted over the years. The case highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling organized crime and securing convictions against those who orchestrate such brutal acts.
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The First Political Murder: Krishna Desai’s Tragic End
The assassination of Baba Siddique echoes the city’s first high-profile political murder, that of Krishna Desai, a Communist Party of India (CPI) legislator, in 1970. Desai, a powerful union leader and champion of Mumbai’s mill workers, was stabbed to death on a rainy night in Lalbaug. His murder is often seen as a turning point that paved the way for the Shiv Sena’s entry into Maharashtra’s political arena.
Desai’s role in building the Rashtra Seva Dal, a cultural wing of the CPI, made him a significant political force in Mumbai’s working-class neighborhoods. His growing influence became a threat to the Shiv Sena, which was then trying to establish its foothold in the region. The conflict between the CPI and the Shiv Sena over control of Mumbai’s labor force turned violent, culminating in Desai’s brutal murder. Despite the arrest of 19 Shiv Sena supporters and the conviction of 16, the assassination marked a grim chapter in Mumbai’s political history.
The Rise of Gangland Killings in the 1990s
The early 1990s saw a dramatic escalation in political assassinations in Mumbai, as gangland rivalries and criminal syndicates tightened their grip on the city. The wave of violence during this period was largely driven by financial disputes, personal vendettas, and the underworld’s deep involvement in the city’s politics.
One of the first victims in this violent era was Shiv Sena MLA Vitthal Chavan, who was shot dead in 1992 by members of the Guru Satam gang. This was followed by the assassination of Ramesh More, a Shiv Sena politician and trade union leader, in 1993. More was killed by four assailants linked to the Arun Gawli gang as he walked towards his residence in Andheri. Just a few days later, BJP MLA Prem Kumar Shankardat Sharma was also gunned down by members of Dawood Ibrahim’s gang while dining out with his family.
The High-Profile Murder of Datta Samant
The political violence in Mumbai reached its peak with the assassination of Datta Samant in 1997. Samant, a well-known union leader and former MLA, was shot dead by four gunmen in Ghatkopar. His murder, attributed to rivalries among trade unions, sent shockwaves across the city. Despite convictions in the case, the acquittal of notorious gangster Chhota Rajan in 2023 highlighted the complexities of Mumbai’s criminal and legal landscape.
Decline and Resurgence of Political Killings
Following the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition’s rise to power in Maharashtra in 1995, political killings in Mumbai witnessed a significant decline. The administration’s stringent measures to curb organized crime seemed to have brought a temporary halt to the bloodshed. However, Baba Siddique’s recent murder indicates a potential resurgence of these violent undercurrents, suggesting that the forces driving political assassinations in Mumbai remain active.
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The Investigation and the Path Ahead
As the investigation into Baba Siddique’s murder continues, with authorities probing links to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, the incident raises critical questions about the safety of political leaders and the resilience of law enforcement in Mumbai. The city’s history of unsolved political murders and delayed justice has often emboldened criminal elements, allowing them to operate with impunity.
Mumbai’s political landscape has long been shaped by the interplay between ambition, rivalry, and crime. From the days of Krishna Desai’s assassination to the present-day killing of Baba Siddique, the city’s democratic processes have been undermined by violent attempts to gain power and control.
Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle of Violence
The murder of Baba Siddique is a stark reminder that despite the progress made in controlling organized crime, the nexus between politics and the underworld continues to pose a grave threat to Mumbai’s stability. To prevent history from repeating itself, it is crucial for law enforcement agencies, political leaders, and the judiciary to work in unison. The city’s leadership must take a firm stand against this insidious cycle of violence to ensure that political rivalry never again descends into bloodshed.
Mumbai’s fight against political violence is far from over. Until the root causes of this issue are addressed, and justice is delivered swiftly and fairly, the shadow of organized crime will continue to loom over the city, jeopardizing the lives of those who dare to lead.