AASU Launches Statewide Protest Demanding Justice for Late Singer Zubeen Garg

AASU Announces Statewide Agitation Demanding Justice for Zubeen Garg

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has initiated a series of statewide programs demanding justice for the late singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, whose untimely demise has left the people of Assam deeply mournful. Recognizing the emotional impact of his passing and the unresolved circumstances surrounding his death, AASU has outlined a three-phase agitation to ensure accountability and a fair investigation. The agitation aims to mobilize public attention and compel authorities to take decisive action against individuals responsible for negligence or wrongdoing.

The first phase, scheduled for October 14, will be a sit-in protest conducted at prominent public venues in each district headquarters across Assam. This phase is intended to demonstrate widespread solidarity with Zubeen’s memory and express public demand for justice. On October 19, the second phase will feature candlelight vigils organized by regional student units in local public spaces during evening hours, honoring Zubeen’s legacy and emphasizing the moral imperative of justice. The final phase, set for October 23, will involve a symbolic “Nyay Samdal” (Justice March) across the state, demanding a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation into the singer’s death. This march will serve as a public reminder that justice must be swift and comprehensive.

AASU leadership, including President Utpal Sharma and General Secretary Samiran Phukan, reiterated the organization’s core demands: justice for Zubeen Garg, a thorough and transparent investigation, exemplary punishment for guilty parties, and the preparation of a comprehensive chargesheet backed by concrete evidence to prevent evasion of justice. The union expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing probe, highlighting lapses in the handling of the case. While individuals such as Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, and Shekhar Goswami have been arrested, others associated with Zubeen’s care team and certain Assam Association members in Singapore allegedly failed in their responsibilities, resulting in what AASU described as a “serious and irreversible crime.”

The union also raised concerns regarding the Assam government’s inability to bring back Assamese individuals from Singapore believed to be connected to the case, questioning administrative efficiency and accountability. AASU called for strict measures against anyone obstructing the investigation, including the potential revocation of passports if necessary.

Regarding Zubeen Garg’s personal assets, AASU clarified that matters concerning his property remain within the family’s domain. However, they maintained that all movable, immovable, and intellectual properties should rightfully belong to his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and their family.

Concluding their statement, AASU emphasized that the people of Assam will not remain silent until complete justice is delivered to Zubeen Garg. They underlined that his contributions to music and culture have left an enduring legacy, and his voice “continues to echo in every Assamese heart.” The union’s agitation reflects a collective commitment to uphold justice, ensure accountability, and honor the memory of one of Assam’s most beloved artists. By mobilizing public support and applying pressure on authorities, AASU aims to ensure that the investigation is fair, transparent, and conclusive, sending a message that negligence or wrongdoing will not be tolerated.

This comprehensive agitation highlights the power of public solidarity and student activism in pursuing justice for cultural icons, and underscores the enduring influence of Zubeen Garg on Assamese society.