'They want closure': Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Zubeen Garg, calls for transparent probe into singer’s death

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday paid tribute to late singer Zubeen Garg at the site of his cremation in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati. Gandhi offered a ‘gamosa’, the traditional Assamese scarf, and a wreath at the memorial platform where the popular singer was laid to rest.

Accompanied by Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Debabrata Saikia, and other senior leaders, Gandhi joined the ‘naam-kirtan’ (prayer ceremony) held at the site. He also planted a ‘nahor’ (Indian rose chestnut) sapling, a tree that Zubeen Garg was known to be fond of.

Speaking after meeting Garg’s family, Gandhi said, "People who heard him and loved him want to know what happened. They want closure. It is the duty of the government to transparently investigate and tell the family exactly what happened. I said that I and the Congress party are there to support them in every possible way and that we stand with them. I offer my condolences to the people of Assam who lost Zubeen Garg. I stand with them in this grief."

Crowds gathered at the cremation ground chanted “Justice for Zubeen” and “Joy Zubeen” as Gandhi paid his respects.

Zubeen Garg, 52, passed away in Singapore on September 19 after drowning while swimming in the sea. His body was brought back and cremated with state honours at Sonapur on September 23. The Assam government has since constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances surrounding his death.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while welcoming Gandhi’s visit, remarked that it came “better late than never”, noting that it occurred 28 days after Garg’s death.

Before returning to New Delhi, Gandhi also visited the singer’s residence to personally convey his condolences to the bereaved family.