The lynching of well-known Manipuri musician Vikram Singh Chongtham in south Delhi ’s Kilokari sent shockwaves through the country, raising concerns about safety in the Capital, particularly for residents from the Northeast.
He lived with his wife, Jyotshna Laikhuram Chongtham, 50, and their son. He left Manipur 17-20 years back. His mother, Chongtham Kamla, is a legend in Imphal as she performed in the first Manipuri feature film, Matamgi Manipur, in 1972.
He was beaten to death for it. A father, killed outside his own home, in his own country’s Capital. Delhi Government on its part will recommend for speedy trial of the case in a special court as possible. Vikram is a well known guitarist and musician from Imphal who has worked with several bands and also taught music at Delhi School of Music. He was a gifted musician. We have all been listening to his music for years. Almost everyone in Imphal knows him and his mother. We want justice against racial violence against people from the northeast. After college, he started working with Ultra Vires band. He later also worked with Phoenix and Eastern Dark bands, before joining Rajasthani folk singer Mame Khan’s group. “He was a child prodigy and performed in children programs on All India Radio. He loved both metal and soft music. He would always make me a good chicken curry.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, said, “Chongtham Vikram Singh ji, a renowned musician from Manipur, went downstairs to ask some men to lower the noise outside his home. Delhi BJP president and union minister of state Harsh Malhotra, in a post on X, said, “Killing of Manipur singer is a horrifying incident but has no racist angle… His family said he loved music and performed in many genres such as heavy metal, rock and roll, jazz, Hindustani and folk music. Binalakshmi Nepram, a human rights activist, told HT, “We received a call in the morning about his death. She also worked with Doordarshan,” she said.
After many such incidents, every Northeast family in Delhi is asking the same question today – are we safe here?
