GUWAHATI: A proposed three-day Zubeen Mahotsav in Guwahati has triggered controversy after details of the event and its organising committee surfaced, with several prominent individuals named in the committee clarifying that they had no knowledge of or association with the festival.
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The proposed Zubeen Mahotsav is scheduled to be held at Latasil field in Guwahati from November 18 to 20 to mark the birth anniversary of late singer Zubeen Garg. However, following the announcement, his wife Garima Saikia Garg, Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita and All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) leaders have publicly distanced themselves from the event.
Garima, who was named chief adviser of the proposed festival, categorically denied any association with the event. She said she had not agreed to serve in the role and that the organisers had not formally approached the Zubeen Garg Trust regarding the proposed celebration.
In her statement, Garima said the event was being organised by the Sadou Asom Zubeen Garg Fan Club, with the guardianship of the people of Dibrugarh. She added that the celebration of Zubeen Garg’s birthday as a day dedicated to creativity had already been publicly announced, with the organisers independently taking the initiative to organise the event.
Emphasising that her current priority remained the fight for justice for her husband, Garima appealed to people not to mislead the public or undermine the struggle through such actions. She also urged everyone to respect her need for peace and space as she continued to focus on seeking justice for the late musician.
Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita also distanced himself from the proposed festival through a social media post on Monday, October 12. He clarified that neither he nor Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was associated with any proposed non-governmental event being organised in Guwahati in Zubeen Garg’s name.
BJP MLA from Nagaon Rupak Sarmah also denied any involvement in the proposed festival, stating that he had learnt about it through news reports.
The controversy has also drawn objections from AASU president Utpal Sarma, whose name was reportedly included in the proposed organising committee as a patron, along with AASU chief adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya. Both were named without their consent, according to the objections raised over the committee’s composition.
The public clarifications have raised questions over how the names of prominent individuals were included in the proposed festival’s organising structure without their knowledge or approval.
The controversy comes as Zubeen Garg’s family, fans and supporters continue to demand justice for the late singer, with Garima reiterating that her focus remains on the ongoing fight for accountability.
