Guwahati, May 20: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern on Wednesday over the political exploitation of renowned singer Zubeen Garg’s legacy, stating that it has hurt the sentiments of the public. He emphasized that the people wish for the celebrated artist to remain above political affiliations.
Speaking to reporters at the memorial site ‘Zubeen Kshetra’ located on the outskirts of Guwahati, Sarma mentioned that he personally visited the site multiple times during the arrangements for the singer’s final journey.
“This location was chosen with great thought, and I visited it several times during that period. We came here to arrange for Zubeen Garg’s funeral and final journey. However, later on, some politically connected individuals politicized the matter to such an extent that it became uncomfortable to visit,” he stated.
According to Sarma, discussions at the site gradually shifted from celebrating the singer’s life and contributions to political debates. He remarked, “There came a time when politics overshadowed Zubeen Garg. I knew that after the elections, the political noise would diminish, allowing Garg’s true identity, artistry, personality, and contributions to resurface naturally.”
The Chief Minister noted that he now feels people are more focused on preserving the memories, music, and cultural contributions of the singer rather than getting entangled in political discussions. Sarma also accused several individuals who later attempted to associate themselves with the singer of having criticized him during his lifetime.
“Those who came here and engaged in politics often criticized Zubeen Garg when he was alive. Their intentions were different. However, for us, Zubeen Garg has always been very special. He remains so today and will continue to be in the future,” he added.
Sarma further claimed that the alleged politicization of the singer during the elections backfired on opposition parties. Referring to the Congress party’s use of the singer’s images at polling stations and party offices, he said that people did not appreciate attempts to politically co-opt an artist.
“People want artists to stay away from politics. The BJP made it clear that we would not politicize Zubeen Garg’s name, and time has proven that this decision was correct,” he concluded.
Leave a Comment