'His parents had this desire & hope that Sidhu Moose Wala will return in some form'

Could you tell us a bit about the influence of Sidhu Moose Wala’s family and particularly his mother on his beliefs, his politics and his music?

Moose Wala's mother was always concerned about his songs which depicted violence. I mention this in the book also - she spoke about it, asking him why do you talk about death and murders? But there is a part which understands this, with Punjabis having seen so many wars and so much violence. And especially in that area which is a hotbed of farmer movements. So, I would say in some way they believed in him. And Moose Wala was trying to bring about change. One change which definitely was that he wanted the youth to be away from drugs. He wanted youth to be pure Sikhs, to be attached to their roots, to return to their villages, to do farming. He made the tractor an icon. So that way his family was definitely influenced by his politics.

Moose Wala has been misunderstood a lot. One part of the Punjab administration has always said that he has been encouraging violence. And even media used to write about it - and I have also written. Then the national media, the Delhi media, they would say that he is a Khalistani, that he wants separatism. But that is not the case. If Moose Wala was a Khalistani, he would not have joined the Congress. The party which has suffered because of Khalistan and which some people blame for the Khalistan movement.

He was dreaming of a greater Punjab. He had this map of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's kingdom - his territory. And he used to show that map. And Greater Punjab was always within the boundaries of India. Unfortunately, I never met him when he was alive; my book starts with his murder, and that is where I enter their life.

So Moose Wala was hoping that India and Pakistan will one day again be one country, and within India - not outside India. That is what I could gather from his interviews. He wanted the Greater Punjab - Punjab that at one time had its influence far up to Tibet and Kabul.

What can you tell us about Charan Kaur from your interviews with her?

From my interviews with Charan Kaur - you know she's a typical Indian mother who has worked hard in her life, to support her husband, her family, and she lived within her means. Even after her son became so popular, I don't think there was a change in her, not even in her behaviour with the villagers. She was the same. Moose Wala has also written in one of his songs that he looked towards his mother for humility, and calmness. That is what Charan Kaur is like. She speaks very little. She would say a line or half a line, and merge with the background - still she is in the background.

I remember when I gave her my book, she touched it to her forehead. And she caressed Moose Wala's cheek in the cover photo as if it were a baby in her lap. I was very touched. I wish them so well. I wish Moose Wala had not met with this tragedy. I wish no one's child meets with such a tragedy at such a young age.

Sidhu Moose Wala was the product of a particular time and upbringing – could you share an anecdote or instance that gives us a peek into how his family life and growing up years influenced his politics and songs?

During my research for this book, so many people told me that Moose Wala always talked about death. The place where his memorial has come up, he bought that land at a high price and against advice because that land is not very fertile. But he wanted that land, and he would always say this is where your brother's (Moose Wala's) memorial will come up.

He was very fond of food, especially streetfood. He would eat anywhere and with anyone. That's also why people loved him so much.

Could you tell us how Sidhu Moose Wala’s death affected his parents and the larger family?

The period after 2012 in Punjab saw the rise of gangsters, saw the rise of drugs in Punjab. And that has influenced not just Moose Wala but other singers also. That was also a period when suddenly there was growth of Punjabi film and music industry. It is alleged that a lot of drug (and gangsters') money was pumped into it. That is why Moose Wala also had this political tinge. His first song was about Shahid Udham Singh, that how he didn't need a licence to kill a British officer, and he meant that people who want to do something don't need government licences. Later on, he turned to (songs about) gangsters and the talk among the masses. If you go by the social media accounts of gangsters, they have a huge following, and that is what his songs reflected.

What was the reason for his enemies was that he started talking about politics, and he started talking about the government's practice of imposing section 295 - (to prevent people) hurting religious sentiments. And he also took on religious leaders, saying that you are not the only one who are saviours of the religion. Every common sikh is a saviour of the religion.

If they’ve shared with you something of what they hope for their second child, and it’s something you can share with our readers, please do give us some details.

Moose Wala's family and his extended relatives - his Tayaji and cousins - were devastated (after his death). And as is reflected in my book, they miss him every second. And who wouldn't. Who wouldn't miss such a son who got so much of fame. They used to live in a small two-room house which was not even plastered. They moved to a haveli. And he was so famous. Who would not miss such a child who has delivered, who has fulfilled his promises. And one who was obedient, even at the age of 29.

Their life had stopped (after he was killed). I think it will only restart with another child.

And another thing is that they have so much of Moose Wala's wealth, I would say, because every month they get payments (royalty) on Moose Wala's songs. A family source who handles their finances said that from YouTube alone he's getting more or less Rs 9 crore per month. The family doesn't know what to do with this money. And it is kind of their slain son's memory, and they want to do something - they have announced projects.

Copies of Who Killed Moosewala? by Jupinderjit Singh in a book store (Image source: Amazon.in)

Do the family hope their second baby becomes a singer and is outspoken about his/her beliefs like Sidhu Moose Wala?

Moose Wala's parents didn't want the news of the second child to be leaked till the child was delivered. However, most of the media persons in Punjab including the main media and social media, especially in the Mansa and Bathinda region, they knew about it. The family had confirmed. But none of us wrote about it, because first of all, it was something which was very very dear to them, and we all thought - just leave them alone.

So, I don't know what their plans are for the child. But yes, of course, it would be a miracle if he turns out to be a singer like Moose Wala. But his family will definitely hope that he carries forward Moose Wala's legacy in one form or the other.

They haven't shared that with me, nor have I asked them - because it would be very inappropriate and at the same time, they have this feeling that many people are misusing their son's legacy so they are pretty reserved about it. Of course, so much of Moose Wala's legacy needs to be protected and the parents believe that a family member can only do that - they have every right to do (choose) that, and I really wish them well.

Please tell us a bit about your book - is it fair to call a biography of Moose Wala?

My book is not Moose Wala's biography. It is the story of his murder, in the backdrop of Punjab's violence. So Moose Wala is at the centre of it, and at the same time, he is just a part of it. There is a larger picture at play - there is a gang war. Punjab Police and Punjab government as well as Delhi Police believe that it was because of gang war that he was killed, though the family doesn't believe that and I also don't believe that fully.