New Delhi: Assam has come to a standstill after the death of Zubeen Garg on 19 September. But suspicions and allegations of negligence and coercion surrounding the singer’s death have resulted in multiple police complaints against the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma, longtime associate Shekhar Goswami, and entrepreneur Shyamkanu Mahanta.
Garg died in Singapore Friday while swimming in the sea. He was in the country to perform at the North East India festival, organised by Mahanta.
At a press conference Sunday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed the demands for Mahanta and Siddharth Sarma to be investigated for their role in Garg’s death.
“We are focused on Zubee’s cremation… we have registered a case under appropriate jurisdiction and have handed over the investigation. We have also started taking statements of people who have filed the FIRs,” said CM Sarma.
While he acknowledged the demands for investigation and arrests, the CM also urged people not to spread conspiracy theories online.
‘A brother to Zubeen’
On social media, a spate of conspiracy theories is doing the rounds, holding people associated with Garg responsible for his death. Popular content creators of the state, including actor Harpal Saikia, Nilakshi Sharma, and singer Nilotpal Bora, have shared their thoughts about potential culprits.
“Shyamkanu Mahanta should be brought back to Assam and brought to justice. I demand that the Assam government get this done, or hand him over to the Assamese public. He is a man who has exploited Zubeen da for years and has now killed him,” Bora said in an Instagram Reel.
The video has been reposted by over 12,000 people.
“The management of the North East festival should be held responsible for his death. It is utmost negligence and irresponsibility, after knowing his illness. Why did the organisers not take it seriously?” said Saikia.
Even though people are speaking out against Siddharth, Garg’s wife, Garima, came out in his defence. She appealed to everyone not to stop Siddharth from attending Zubee’s funeral in a video message shared on the singer’s official Instagram page.
“I’m asking everyone to come together—Zubeen is finally coming home. When he was with us, you all showered him with love and blessings, and Zubeen always gave that love back,” she said.
She also urged people to withdraw the FIRs lodged against Siddharth, adding that he has stood by the couple like a rock in challenging times.
“Siddharth, who has been like a brother to him from the start, will be coming along as well,” she said.
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Police action
Even as Garg’s demise led the Assam government to declare a three-day state mourning, a few statements made online have resulted in police action and protest. A young woman named Shivangi Bhattacharjee, who posted derogatory content against the official mourning, issued an apology after the Assam wing of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad filed an FIR against her.
In a viral Reel, Bhattacharjee can be seen using racist slurs and derogatory language against Garg and the way Assamese people have filled streets across the state to express their grief at the singer’s untimely demise.
In another instance, a Naga student’s derogatory comments against the singer led to people storming the university, demanding action against him. He was later suspended by the university.
“The concerned student has since issued a public apology, expressing deep remorse for his statements. However, the University has decided to suspend him from all academic privileges with immediate effect until further notice, pending further investigation and necessary disciplinary proceedings,” read an official statement by the university, shared on Instagram.
The situation at the university premises is now under control, and no further action has been taken by protestors.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)