New Delhi | The death of a 54-year-old Manipuri musician following an alleged assault in Delhi has triggered a political confrontation between the Congress and BJP, with the Opposition accusing the government of failing to ensure public safety and the ruling party hitting back over Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s controversial remarks about people from the Northeast.

Chongtham Vikram Singh, a well-known musician from Manipur, died after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff outside his apartment in Kilokari early Monday. Police have arrested seven people and apprehended a juvenile in connection with the case.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described the incident as evidence of what he called “utter lawlessness” in the national capital under the BJP government.

Kharge alleged that students and women were unsafe in Delhi and that people from the Northeast, Dalits, Adivasis and minorities remained vulnerable to violence and discrimination. He also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of allowing Delhi to deteriorate into a “crime capital”.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded a speedy investigation and justice for Singh’s family.

“After many such incidents, every Northeast family in Delhi is asking the same question today – are we safe here?” Gandhi said, while questioning the measures being taken by the Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police to prevent attacks, particularly against people from the Northeast.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed Singh’s death a “national shame” and called for immediate action against those responsible. Congress leader Pawan Khera said Rahul Gandhi had spoken to Singh’s brother and conveyed his condolences to the family.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Delhi Police had assured him that a chargesheet would be filed within eight to nine days. Rijiju said he was monitoring the investigation and called for the “strictest punishment possible” for those found responsible.

According to Rijiju, the eight accused in the case are from different states, including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The BJP accused the Congress of politicising the incident and questioned its record on issues concerning people from the Northeast.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia referred to controversial remarks made by Sam Pitroda in 2024, when the Congress leader had described people from the Northeast as resembling the Chinese. Bhatia questioned why Rahul Gandhi was not held accountable for Pitroda’s remarks.

The Congress had distanced itself from those comments at the time, calling them “unfortunate and unacceptable”.

According to the preliminary inquiry, Singh, who belonged to the Meitei community, had objected to a group of men allegedly creating a disturbance outside his residence. He was injured during the ensuing altercation and later died.

The North East Students Society, Delhi University (NESSDU), condoled Singh’s death and described him as a respected Manipuri musician. The organisation said Singh had reportedly gone downstairs after noticing a group of men allegedly drinking and creating a disturbance outside his apartment. He was attacked after asking them to reduce the noise, it said.

The incident has renewed concerns among people from the Northeast living in Delhi over their safety and the response of law-enforcement agencies to alleged attacks and discrimination. With the investigation underway, the political dispute has also brought renewed focus on the larger question of safety, accountability and the treatment of people from the Northeast in the national capital.