Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Saturday strongly criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accusing him of showing disrespect towards late singer Zubeen Garg and trying to create a bad image of the legendary artist.
Akhil Gogoi said that the Chief Minister was connecting Zubeen Garg’s name with alcohol and tobacco, which he felt was an attempt to insult and damage the reputation of someone deeply loved by the people of Assam. “By linking Zubeen Garg’s name with alcohol and tobacco, Himanta Biswa Sarma is trying to create a bad name for him and disrespect our beloved Zubeen Garg,” Gogoi said.
The Sivasagar MLA alleged that the state government was doing politics in the ongoing investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death. He said that from the very first day, the Chief Minister had been playing politics instead of ensuring a fair probe. “Since September 19, when Zubeen Garg passed away, we have seen that the government is not serious about justice. The Chief Minister has been trying to protect the main accused Shyamkanu Mahanta, and his statements have been against Zubeen’s fans and supporters,” Gogoi said. 
Akhil Gogoi also reacted to a video in which Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma allegedly claimed that Gogoi was sending people to Zubeen Kshetra to create unrest. Responding to that, the Raijor Dal leader said, “See how the Chief Minister becomes angry when people visit Zubeen Kshetra. He says I have sent them there. By saying this, he has insulted the true fans and supporters of Zubeen Garg. People are visiting the site out of love and respect, not for politics.”
In another video, the Chief Minister is seen saying that the government will take strong measures to protect Zubeen Garg’s samadhi kshetra and accused Akhil Gogoi of politicising the singer’s death. To this, Gogoi replied, “We are only demanding justice for Zubeen Garg. Is it wrong to seek justice for him? The Chief Minister is trying to turn this emotional issue into a political one.”
The Raijor Dal chief further referred to another video in which the Chief Minister reportedly said that Akhil Gogoi was using Hindu-Muslim politics to defame the BJP. Reacting sharply, Gogoi said, “Zubeen Garg said he belonged to no religion, no community. But isn’t Zubeen Garg an Assamese? Isn’t he a Hindu by birth? Why bring religion into this? This issue is about justice, not religion or politics.”
Gogoi said the Chief Minister was making such statements to divert public attention and hide the real issues behind the case. “Justice for Zubeen Garg is not my personal issue. It is the demand of the people of Assam and of his fans and supporters. I am only standing with them. The Chief Minister is giving all these statements to hide the truth,” he said.
The Raijor Dal leader also criticised the tone of the Chief Minister’s comments in one of the videos, saying that he had disrespected Zubeen Garg by addressing him casually and using words like “toi toi” in public. “The way the Chief Minister spoke about Zubeen Garg is not right. It shows his lack of respect for the late artist. His words have hurt the sentiments of the people. It clearly shows that he is afraid of the people of Assam who are demanding justice for Zubeen Garg,” Gogoi said.
Gogoi further said that the state government should understand that people’s love for Zubeen Garg is deep and emotional. He said that no amount of politics or statements could reduce the respect that Zubeen holds in the hearts of his fans. “Zubeen Garg was more than an artist. He was a voice of the people. The people of Assam will not remain silent if anyone tries to defame him,” Gogoi said.
