Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has asserted that the late singer Zubeen Garg was a devotee of Lord Shiva, countering claims that the iconic musician was a non-believer. Sarma's statement comes amidst recent events surrounding Garg's memorial and attempts to portray him in a particular light.
Sarma accused a "Leftist ecosystem" of engaging in false propaganda by using a dialogue from Garg's movie "Kanchenjunga" to misrepresent the singer. In the film, Garg's character states that he does not have race, religion, or caste, identifying himself as Kanchenjunga. According to Sarma, these groups are exploiting this dialogue to weaken the Sanatan Hindu religion and protect individuals facing eviction from illegally occupied land.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Garg had a tattoo of Lord Shiva on his body and that his cremation was performed following Hindu rituals. He also referenced a recent interview where Garg himself stated that he worshipped Lord Shiva. Sarma expressed his disapproval of attempts to link Zubeen Garg with alcohol, particularly after an incident where fans poured wine at the singer's memorial. He emphasized that his government would not tolerate such actions that hurt people's sentiments and misrepresent the singer. Sarma's government has outlined rules for Zubeen Garg's memorial, named Zubeen Kshetra, prohibiting alcohol consumption on the premises.
To counter the alleged misrepresentation of Zubeen Garg, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a state-wide campaign titled "Moiu Zubeen, Amiu Zubeen" (I am also Zubeen, we are also Zubeen). The campaign aims to establish Garg's true identity and legacy, demanding a fast-tracked probe into the circumstances surrounding his death and preserving his legacy for future generations.
Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19, 2025, under what have been described as mysterious circumstances. His death has prompted protests and demands for justice. Initial reports suggested his death was the result of a scuba diving accident. However, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has stated that they do not suspect foul play. Assam Police have arrested at least one individual for posting a controversial, edited video on social media related to Garg's death.
Born on November 18, 1972, Zubeen Garg was a prominent figure in Assam's cultural landscape. He was a singer, songwriter, composer, actor, filmmaker, poet, and philanthropist who worked primarily in the Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi-language film and music industries. Garg was known for his versatility, singing in over 40 languages and dialects and blending Assamese folk traditions with modern sounds. He was also known for speaking out on regional political issues, becoming a strong voice against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
