Guwahati, Oct 25: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday alleged that opposition parties were exploiting the ongoing “Justice for Zubeen Garg” movement to “weaken the Hindu society.”
Speaking to reporters, Sarma claimed that opposition leaders, including Akhil Gogoi, were deliberately keeping the issue alive to target Hindu sentiments. “The opposition says Zubeen had no caste or religion. Was Zubeen not a Hindu? Was he not Assamese?” he questioned.
The Chief Minister also criticised eminent author and Sahitya Akademi awardee Rita Chowdhury, wife of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, for opposing the government’s SOP limiting visiting hours at Garg’s cremation site. Sarma said her social media post suggested the situation could worsen, amounting to instigation, and warned of strict action against those attempting to provoke unrest.
The state government recently directed that the cremation ground of Zubeen Garg remain open for visitors from 6 am to 10 pm daily, citing public disturbance concerns in Sonapur locality. Sarma compared the restriction to temple visiting hours, stating, “Nobody visits Kamakhya temple after 10 pm. We must also respect the privacy of local residents.”
Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most celebrated singers, died under mysterious circumstances on September 19 in Singapore during the North East India Festival. His death has triggered widespread protests and demands for justice across the state.
Sarma expressed support for the BJP’s ongoing ‘Nyay Yatra’ seeking justice for Garg and said he would join public protests after the police file the chargesheet, urging people to have faith in the judiciary.
Meanwhile, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) organised a candlelight procession on Friday evening, led by Congress President Gaurav Gogoi from Cotton College to Dighalipukhuri, demanding an impartial probe into the singer’s death. Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of acting in “self-interest.”
Reacting to this, Sarma clarified that the BJP would not seek votes in Zubeen Garg’s name, asserting, “If anyone uses Zubeen’s name for politics, BJP will only gain. But I will never seek votes in his name.”
