Hundreds gather to remember Manmeet Sharma

MANMEET Sharma’s murder while driving a bus has shocked the Indian community, with hundreds gathering to remember a man with “big dreams”.

Manmeet Sharma.

MANMEET Sharma’s murder while driving a bus has shocked the Indian community.

Police liaison officers on-hand as hundreds gathered at the Sikh temple in southern Brisbane were quick to quash growing rumours about Mr Sharma's death being a racial attack. More people later gathered to lay flowers and light candles.

Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland President Palani Thevar told the group at the temple Mr Sharma's brother had been granted an express visa and was expected to arrive in Brisbane on Sunday.

Prayer ceremony for bus attack victim Manmeet Sharma at the Brisbane Sikh Temple. Pic: Tara Croser.

Friend after friend, many of them taxi and bus drivers who like Manmeet came to Australia with dreams of success, spoke of an exuberant artist who mixed movie star aspirations with hard work.

“He said you shouldn’t be wasting your life just working, you should be doing something to inspire others,” said former housemate Jazz Matharu.

“He had big dreams to achieve in life.”

A man is overcome by grief at the temple.

Manmeet Sharma, who died on Friday.

Friends confirmed Mr Sharma, aged 29 of Sunnybank Hills, was not engaged but was planning to fly back to India at the end of the year where his family had arrange for him to become engaged to a woman.

Mr Sharma was a much loved singer who had performed for thousands of Adelaide fans just days before the bus attack on Friday.

Under his stage name of Manmeet Alisher, he played to a crowd of 5000 at the Diwali Mela festival at Pinky Flat last Sunday.

Brisbane city council drivers gathered at a memorial for the slain bus driver in Moorooka Saturday night. Pic: Jack Tran

Punjabi Association of SA president Kuldip Chugha told The Adelaide Advertiser that Alisher was a multi-talented singer, actor and dancer and “one of the most popular guys in the Indian community all over Australia.

“He had a bubbly personality and a lovely smile. He was a people person, a very good communicator,” Mr Chugha said.

Mourners gather at the memorial Saturday night.

Pictures: Jack Tran

“Once you met him you felt like you had known him for a long time.

“The (festival) crowd was dancing to his songs and loving it.

“No family or friends should have to wake up to this horrifying news. It’s very sad.”

Thousands have paid respects to slain bus driver Manmeet Sharma. Pic: Jack Tran

Mr Chugha said Alisher had told him he was hoping to return to India soon for an arranged marriage, though his family there was still searching for a suitable bride. Alisher would then have brought his wife to live in Australia.

The man accused of the attack, Anthony O’Donohue, appeared in court this morning on 13 charges including the murder of Manmeet Sharma and attempted murder of 11 passengers.

His case was adjourned until November 21.

A man and his daughter gather at the Moorooka memorial. Pic: Jack Tran

Mourners at the memorial Saturday night. Pic: Jack Tran

Brisbane city council drivers and cabbies joined those gathered at the memorial.

A strong presence from the Punjabi community was felt. Pics: Jack Tran

Former taxi driver colleagues at the memorial. Pic: Jack Tran

Hundreds of people paid respects at the temple. Pic: Tara Croser.