AJYCP and 25 Indigenous Organisations Slam CM Sarma’s ‘Sly’ Remarks, Question SIT’s Silence

A massive protest rocked Guwahati on Tuesday as thousands of people gathered at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground demanding justice for Assam’s cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, whose mysterious death in Singapore continues to raise serious questions across the state.

The protest programme was organised under the flagship of the Assam's Jatiya Janagusthi Dal Sangathan, saw the participation of over 25 indigenous groups from different parts of Assam. Leading the protest was the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), which accused the government and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of dragging their feet and maintaining opacity in the probe.

Palash Changmai’s Scathing Attack on CM Sarma

AJYCP president Palash Changmai launched a blistering attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of making “slyly statements” before the media that have deepened public distrust.

“The Chief Minister is saying Zubeen was murdered, then who are the culprits? How was he murdered? Where was he murdered? These questions have been creating disbelief amongst the masses about the ongoing investigation process. There were no press conferences being organised so far by the Assam Police in connection to the matter. We know that during investigation process many things cannot be made public, but we have also noticed in other murder cases that police at least brief about the occurrence of the murder case, names of the accused, they re-create the crime scene and at least brief the media which can be shared, but nothing was done in this case so far. It doesn’t take 45 days to at least make the public aware about the incident. What we can assume is that the Government had tried to keep the matter in dark and there is a lack of transparency.”

Changmai further criticised the state government for denying a CBI probe, despite repeated public demands.

“People had demanded the investigation to be taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) but the government had given it to the CID Assam, and the SIT was also formed thereafter. SIT had failed to brief the media on a timely basis. This is leading to the fact that whether the cultural icon of the state will get justice or not. Thus, AJYCP and 25 other organisations have come out today to protest against this.”

Also Read: Assam: Flautist Dipak Sarma's Body to Arrive in Guwahati on Chartered Flight on Tuesday

“We Had to Take to the Streets for Justice”

Speaking to the media, a member of AJYCP said,

“Along with AJYCP, 25 other indigenous organizations had to come out demanding justice for the beloved state’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg’s mysterious death in Singapore. This is a shame that we had to come out on the streets to demand justice for Zubeen, and the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s statements failed to reassure us about the way the investigation is proceeding. Moreover, SIT has taken time to provide the charge sheet and thus, we urge that SIT must not show stinginess in providing the charge sheet before the court, as the court will deliver the final justice. And the accused must be punished at any cost and if not, then the demand for justice will prevail.”

The protesters carried placards, banners, and shouted slogans demanding a fair investigation and immediate action against those responsible for the singer’s death.

Also Read: Voice for Zubeen: Morigaon Woman’s Cry for Justice Turns Into Apology!

Questioning the Government’s Priorities

Changmai also took strong exception to the Chief Minister’s announcement regarding the allotment of 10 bighas of land for the proposed ‘Zubeen Kshetra’, calling it inadequate and symbolic rather than substantial.

“CM Sarma yesterday stated that the government will provide 10 bighas of land to Zubeen Kshetra, alike the Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra, but 10 bighas of land in today’s time will not be sufficient. Today, there is a lack of proper parking space in the Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra, and at the same time, lakhs of people are coming daily to Zubeen Garg’s Samadhi Kshetra and there is a lack of proper parking place. How will they park the vehicles? This has also led to traffic congestion for the people travelling to Upper Assam. There should be at least 15 to 20 bighas of land required only for parking purposes. You can see in the major temples in the country how parking arrangements are done. See the Lotus Temple in Delhi, the Akshardham Temple in Delhi — today Zubeen Kshetra has also turned into a Moth Mandir. Thus, Zubeen Kshetra must be constructed on at least 100 bighas of land.”

CM Sarma Responds: “Judicial Commission a Landmark Step”

Meanwhile, amid the mounting criticism, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, taking to X, said,

“The Government’s decision to constitute a Judicial Commission headed by a sitting Judge of the Gauhati High Court to enquire into the circumstances leading to the tragic death of our beloved Zubeen Garg is a landmark step in the pursuit of truth and justice.
We must extend full cooperation and actively participate in the proceedings of the Commission to ensure that every fact is brought to light, and justice is served in the most transparent and impartial manner.”

The Chief Minister’s post came even as civil society groups, artists, and Zubeen’s fans across Assam expressed growing discontent over the SIT’s silence and the government’s delayed response.

A Growing Movement for Justice

Tuesday’s protest, led by AJYCP and joined by organisations such as the Sadou Moran Chatra Sanstha, Matak Yuba-Chatra Sanmilan, Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad Asom, Nikhil Rabha Chatra Sanstha, Sadou Asom Koch Rajbongshi Chatra Sanstha, Sadou Dimasa Chatra Sanstha, Adivasi Chatra Sanstha, Sadou Asom Chutia Chatra Sanstha, Sadou Asom Nath-Yogi Chatra Sanstha, Sadou Asom Gorkha Chatra Sanstha, and several others representing Assam’s diverse indigenous communities, marked one of the largest collective demands for justice since the singer’s death.

With slogans echoing through Khanapara, the protesters made it clear that their fight will continue until the truth behind Zubeen Garg’s death is revealed and those responsible are punished.

As public pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the Judicial Commission and the SIT, whose actions in the coming days may well determine whether the people of Assam regain faith in the justice process for one of their most beloved icons.

Tight Security at Khanapara

Anticipating the large-scale protest, the Assam Police made elaborate security arrangements across Khanapara and adjoining areas. A heavy contingent of police and security personnel was deployed to prevent any untoward incident and to ensure smooth conduct of the protest march.