Himanta Sarma Claims Political Exploitation of Zubeen Garg's Legacy: Analysis of Post-Death Controversies in Assam

The Assam government established a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the singer's death (File).

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Thursday that many individuals who had defamed singer Zubeen Garg during his lifetime are now venerating him.

This statement follows an incident in Baksa district where police used batons and tear gas to disperse a mob that attacked a convoy transporting five people arrested in connection with the singer's death.

"While Zubeen was alive, the entire ecosystem attempted to defame and diminish him. Today, following his death, these same individuals worship him as a deity," the chief minister posted on the social media platform 'X'.

"These are not genuine admirers—they are insincere fans whose sole objective is to exploit his name to attack and oppose BJP. True affection and respect are demonstrated when a person is living, not when it becomes convenient after their passing," Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted.

On Wednesday, he had alleged that since Zubeen Garg's death, certain individuals have been attempting to construct a "false narrative to fulfill their vested political interests".

The chief minister had noted that some political parties are trying to provoke ordinary citizens, who constitute the singer's genuine fan base, to create a situation that he deemed truly reprehensible.

"This does not serve the interests of the people and will harm the state significantly over time, similar to the movement against the Citizenship Amendment Act," he remarked.

Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the public to maintain faith in the judicial system and avoid being misled by those engaging in politics for their own advantages.

"Zubeen's death cannot be leveraged for political gain by anyone, yet the prevailing narrative created by this group suggests that his death occurred and they must keep the issue active until the assembly elections," Himanta Biswa Sarma explained.

He emphasized that ordinary people are "not engaging in politics but are responding emotionally," and it is "a faction providing false information for their own political benefits".

"Most of these individuals were never supporters of Zubeen and had even criticized him, but now, suddenly, they have removed their previous social media posts and claim to be his devoted followers," he stated.

The chief minister alleged that this group will "not allow the situation to stabilize until violence occurs or a Nepal-like scenario develops in the state".

The Assam government had formed the 10-member SIT to investigate the singer's drowning death in the sea in Singapore on September 19.