Patna : Vivekanand Singh, a former wrestler and one-time rival of Mokama strongman Anant Singh, has died at the age of 70. Singh, widely known as Viveka Pahalwan, passed away on 2 April at Arogya Hospital in Patna after suffering a heart attack on March 27.
His funeral was held at Umanath Sati Sthan in Barh, where his son, Raja Parikshit, performed the last rites. Around 1,000 people attended, including RJD MLC Kartikeya Singh. Anant Singh’s social media account also posted a message expressing condolences.
A history of rivalry and violence
Viveka Pahalwan and Anant Singh were once bitter enemies, their rivalry playing out in a violent gang war that left both sides with heavy losses. Despite being relatives, their animosity culminated in a deadly attack in 2004, when Anant Singh was shot while sleeping on his rooftop in Nadma village. The attack left him critically injured, and his family rushed him to Patna for treatment. Despite threats against the hospital, Singh’s brother ensured he received an operation.
Viveka Pahalwan was convicted for his role in the attack and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Their feud, however, had already claimed several lives. Anant Singh’s elder brothers, Faajo Singh and Viranchi Singh, were killed in gang-related violence, as was Viveka Pahalwan’s brother, Sanjay Singh. The violence escalated in 1995 during an attack on Anant Singh’s home during the assembly elections, in which his brother-in-law was also killed.
A surprising reconciliation
In later years, the hostility between the two softened. When Anant Singh was jailed in an arms case and his wife, Neelam Devi, contested a by-election in Mokama, Viveka Pahalwan supported her campaign. Neelam Devi went on to win the election, marking an unexpected alliance between the former rivals.
