Politician Baba Siddiqui, Who Reconciled Shah Rukh and Salman, Murdered in Mumbai

Baba Siddiqui, a well-known political figure in Mumbai, was shot dead on Saturday night. It is said that he had friendships with many Bollywood actors and was famous for hosting large iftar parties during the month of Ramadan.

According to the Mumbai police, multiple rounds of gunfire were directed at him around 9:30 PM in the Bandra East area. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in critical condition, where he took his last breath.

Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed Siddiqui’s death in a press conference and stated that two individuals have been arrested, while one suspect remains at large. He mentioned that one of the arrested suspects is from Haryana and the other from Uttar Pradesh.

Chief Minister Shinde stated, “Former minister Baba Siddiqui was the victim of a lethal attack. Unfortunately, he has passed away. This is an extremely tragic event… The police team is working to apprehend the third suspect. Strict action will be taken against all three.”

After Siddiqui’s death, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt was the first to visit his family, while Salman Khan was also seen meeting with his relatives the next morning, indicating his close ties to the film industry.

Baba Siddiqui was born on September 13, 1958, in Patna, Bihar. His full name was Ziauddin Siddiqui, but he became famous in Mumbai’s film industry as Baba Siddiqui. He became involved in the Congress party during his student years and was elected General Secretary of the Congress’s student wing, NSUI, from Bandra in 1980.

He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bandra West three times and held positions as Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Minister of Labour and FD from 2004 to 2008. Before that, he was elected twice as a corporator for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation from 1992 to 1997.

In 2017, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at locations associated with Baba Siddiqui in a money laundering case, after which he became less politically active, with his son, Zeeshan Siddiqui, becoming more prominent.

In 2014, Baba Siddiqui lost the elections from Bandra East, but his son won in 2019.

Although Baba Siddiqui was known as an active member of the Congress party at the state level, he gained more fame nationally due to his connections with Bollywood and his iftar parties, which were attended by political leaders and celebrities alike.

Senior journalist Dr. Ramachandran Srinivasan noted in an interview with BBC Hindi that “Baba’s political activities were primarily based in Bandra, where many film personalities reside. He began his political career while forming a close relationship with Sunil Dutt.”

Baba Siddiqui maintained a strong connection with Sanjay Dutt, who often attended his iftar parties, even when he was otherwise absent from Bollywood events.

For five years, actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan had a rift and were rarely seen together. However, it is said that through Baba Siddiqui’s efforts, they reconciled and embraced each other during an iftar party in 2013.

On social media, Baba Siddiqui is being remembered as a humanitarian and secular leader. Former Chief Minister’s son and actor Riteish Deshmukh expressed his sorrow on X, stating, “I am deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic death of Baba Siddiqui.”

A user named Sim Khan wrote, “Baba Siddiqui was truly a secular leader. He was never just a Muslim leader. He may have done more for Hindus, yet everyone remembers him as a Muslim leader.”

Others are reminiscing about his iftar parties attended by stars like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan, as well as other prominent figures.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen leader and MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his condolences while also raising concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

A user named Saif Patel pointed out, “Baba Siddiqui was murdered in Bandra, one of Mumbai’s most affluent areas. He had ‘Y’ category security coverage. Doesn’t this indicate a complete breakdown of law and order and an urgent need for President’s Rule in Maharashtra?”