Zubeen echoes in Assam election campaign, fans say ‘he would never want this’

Guwahati: ‘Politics Nokoriba Bandhu (Don’t do politics, my friend),’ sang Zubeen Garg in 2019, seven years before netas on campaign trail turned his tragic 2025 death in Singapore into a talking point at rallies.

As the election approaches, visits by politicians to Zubeen Kshetra — a memorial at the site of the music icon’s cremation on Sept 23 last year — have increased. As have slugfests in his name.

Lok Sabha MP and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Gaurav Gogoi has alleged that the state govt formed an SIT to “hide” CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s ties with the accused, referring to North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta. He has also said BJP stands opposed to Zubeen’s ideals and continues to disrespect him even after his death.




The CM has also not backed off from the issue, saying in the assembly that it is “on the record” that Zubeen was murdered. He has accused Congress of turning the singer’s memorial into a political arena, and has vowed not to visit the site until elections end.

Akhil Gogoi, peasant leader-turned-Raijor Dal president, has said the probe has been converted into a political show, and govt is “dramatising” Zubeen’s death to gain sympathy before the polls.

Congress in its manifesto promised to ensure justice for Zubeen within 100 days if elected to office. Sarma called the party’s move to include the tragedy in its poll promises a “sin”. MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit back, saying committing to pursue justice within a timeframe should not be viewed as political opportunism.

The state coroner in Singapore had concluded that Zubeen’s death was “simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning” and that no one had forced, coerced, or pushed him into the water. Directly addressing a concern raised by Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, about the Singapore Police Coast Guard’s finding that there was no foul play, state coroner Adam Nakhoda said that the cops had conducted a comprehensive and thorough investigation.

The opposition parties maintained that the “mystery” of Zubeen’s death had remained unsolved, particularly with investigating agencies in India and Singapore arriving at different conclusions.

The CM, however, said there was “no difference” between the Singapore verdict and the state police’s chargesheet, and the case here wo-uld be “strengthened” as it bolstered the view that the singer was forced to drink alcohol and coaxed to go for a swim.

Last week, Gogoi doubled down on his accusations, clai-ming the probe had been “negligent” because of Sarma’s links to “those responsible”.

For ‘Zubeen da’s’ fans, though, none of this is currying favour.

Pradip Sharma, secretary of Zubeen Kshetra Pariskar Parisalana and Tadarak Committee, says politicians have started making trips to the memorial “but this will not have any effect on the people of Assam or on the polls”.

Nitu Moni Das, a local, says, “He always stood with the people of Assam, not with the politicians. We just want to know how the tragedy happened.”

Jayanta Sarma points out that Zubeen himself had said ‘Politics Nokoriba Bandhu’. “How can we tolerate people politicising his death?” he says. Jayanta’s visits to the memorial on weekends have become a ritual.

For those across Assam who adored him, Zubeen’s death is not a blame game but a wave of grief that has united them. Hundreds throng the shrine every day; this number runs into thousands on holidays. They offer earthen lamps, gamosas and flowers. Some perform pujas and the Tadarak committee helps th-em with everything they need.

Malati Medhi, a committee member, comes every day. She finishes her household chores in the morning and rushes over to offer “whatever assistance” she can.

“None of the people working here have specific roles. We take care of the site together,” says Paban Kalita, another member.

Krishna Kamal Saikia, who travelled overnight from Dibrugarh, says he comes every month. “Zubeen da was not just a musician but a pure soul. He did so much for the state and its people. Paying our respects is the least we can do,” he says.



Construction has begun on a permanent memorial; a boundary wall is also being built. “The shrine is difficult to maintain during monsoon. A concrete structure will help,” says committee president Deben Das, adding, “The boundary wall is also an urgent requirement in order to prevent trespassing.”

A committee member says, “Maybe it will keep netas out of this sacred place.”