Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal paid his respects to Assam’s beloved singer Zubeen Garg at the Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati on Sunday. Sonowal also met Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and expressed his deepest condolences.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened. Today, I offered my heartfelt tribute to the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg, a timeless artist who physically departs from us but leaves behind an immortal legacy. His untimely demise is not just a huge loss for Assam’s cultural society but also an irreparable loss for the global music fraternity,” Sonowal said. “For us, the people of Assam, Zubeen will remain alive forever as our heartbeat.”
Thousands of emotional fans gathered at the Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to pay their last respects to the singer, who died in Singapore on September 19 following a scuba diving accident. His mortal remains were flown to Delhi and later transported to Assam, arriving in Guwahati on Sunday morning.
Following the unexpected turnout, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the sports complex would remain open throughout the night to allow more fans to pay tribute. Sarma also said the mortal remains would remain at Sarusajai for public homage the following day.
The Assam government has declared a three-day state mourning in memory of Zubeen Garg. During this period, no official entertainment, ceremonial programs, or public celebrations will be held.
Zubeen Garg, aged 52, was a cultural icon of Assam and the broader Northeast. A singer, composer, music director, actor, and filmmaker, his career spanned over three decades and included thousands of songs in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and other Indian languages.
Meanwhile, an incident involving a B.Tech student from Nagaland at Kaziranga University sparked unrest on Saturday evening. The student reportedly made remarks perceived as disrespectful toward Zubeen Garg, triggering protests by Assamese students.
Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along condemned the remarks, assuring that all Naga students at the university were safe. He urged restraint on social media and emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony between Assam and Nagaland. “Zubeen Garg was not only a pride of Assam but also of the entire Northeast and India,” Along said. The student involved is currently in a safe house, and authorities are arranging for him to be handed over to his family.
Police and university authorities swiftly controlled the unrest, deploying additional personnel at the campus and hostel premises to prevent further incidents. Strict legal action has been requested by local authorities in response to the incident.
Zubeen Garg’s passing has left a deep void in Assam and beyond. Fans and leaders alike have paid homage to the singer, celebrating his enduring contribution to music and culture.
