Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi has accused the state government of creating hurdles for supporters who sought to honour late singer Zubeen Garg during a candlelight march organized by the Congress. The event, held on Sunday in Guwahati, was aimed at demanding justice for Garg, who passed away in Singapore on September 19.

Speaking to the media, Gogoi expressed his concern over the alleged obstruction, stating that the government was attempting to undermine the peaceful tribute. “In Assam, people wish to pay tribute to Zubeen Garg, but the state government has been attempting to undermine this call for justice over the past few days. The government is creating various obstacles for his supporters who seek to honour him,” he said. Despite these challenges, Gogoi emphasized that public sentiment for justice and recognition of Garg’s contributions remains strong.

The Congress leader described Zubeen Garg as a true leader of Assamese society whose absence is deeply felt. “People of Assam are still grieving; they miss Zubeen Garg tremendously. They miss his leadership, his courage… especially today, at this time, we need someone to lead Assamese society the way Zubeen Garg did. Although he was apolitical, he was undoubtedly a leader of Assamese society, and we miss his guidance,” Gogoi told ANI.

The candlelight march and floral tributes in Guwahati were attended by a large gathering of fans and political figures, all paying homage to the iconic singer. The event marked one month since Garg’s untimely death, which occurred allegedly while he was swimming, just a day before he was scheduled to perform at the Northeast India Festival.

The Assam Police have intensified their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Garg’s death. A Special Investigation Team (SIT)/CID probe has already led to the arrest of seven individuals in connection with the case. Those taken into custody include Shyamkanu Mahanta, the main organiser of the event Garg was to perform at; Siddharth Sharma, Garg’s manager; Sandipan Garg, a suspended APS officer and cousin of the singer; bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami; co-singer Amritprava Mahanta; and two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya.

Gogoi also urged the government to ensure a thorough investigation into the charges against the accused and stressed the importance of delivering justice. He highlighted that the grief among the people of Assam is compounded by the fact that Garg was a guiding figure whose absence leaves a void in the community.

The candlelight march thus served a dual purpose: to honour Zubeen Garg’s legacy and to amplify the public demand for accountability regarding the circumstances of his death. According to Gogoi, the government must not impede such peaceful expressions of grief and tribute.

With the ongoing SIT/CID investigation, the state faces mounting pressure to provide clarity and justice, as public interest in the case remains high. Garg’s sudden death continues to evoke deep emotions across Assam, where his artistic and social contributions were widely respected. The candlelight tribute underscored the singer’s lasting impact on the Assamese people, as well as the call for transparent legal proceedings to address the controversy surrounding his passing.