In murder of a musician from Manipur, many whys, one how and a collective failure

On Sunday evening, vocalist and guitarist Vikram Singh, 55, died after a heated argument with a group of young men in Kilokari village, south-west Delhi. The police have arrested seven suspects and vowed to take "prompt and lawful action." However, the motive remains unclear. Singh, a lead guitarist for the band Phoenix, had asked the young men to reduce the noise outside his home.

The circumstances leading to his death highlight the pervasive issue of prejudice and discrimination against people from Northeast India in Delhi. While it is impossible to determine the exact reason for Singh's killing, the numerous plausible explanations serve as a social tragedy and a collective failure. The young men who attacked him were reportedly delivery boys, often facing a bleak future and limited opportunities.

Their anger, fueled by poverty and abuse, led them to target a blameless victim. Ultimately, this case underscores the need to address the underlying issues of inequality, prejudice, and dehumanization that contribute to violent incidents in India.