On Friday, October 17, 2025, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, visited Sonapur, just outside Guwahati, to pay his respects to the late iconic singer Zubeen Garg at the site of his cremation.
During his visit, Mr. Gandhi honored the singer by placing a traditional Assamese ‘gamosa’ scarf and a wreath on the cremation platform.
Gandhi was joined by several prominent Congress figures, including Assam Pradesh Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, AICC general secretary and Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh, and legislative assembly opposition leader Debabrata Saikia, among other senior state party members.
Following his tribute and a meeting with Garg’s family, Mr. Gandhi addressed the media, emphasizing the public’s desire for answers regarding the singer’s passing. He stated, “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 this matter.”
As Mr. Gandhi offered his homage, the gathered crowd passionately chanted slogans like ‘Justice for Zubeen’ and ‘Joy Zubeen’. The Congress leaders then joined in the ‘naam-kirtan’ (traditional prayers), sitting reverently on the ground.
Additionally, the Congress leader planted a ‘nahor’ (Indian rose chestnut) sapling at the cremation site, a tree known to be a particular favorite of the late singer.
Before departing for New Delhi, Mr. Gandhi was also scheduled to visit the singer’s residence to offer his personal condolences to Zubeen Garg’s grieving family members, a party leader confirmed.
Zubeen Garg tragically passed away at the age of 52 on September 19 in Singapore, following a swimming accident in the sea. He was accorded a state funeral and cremated on September 23 at Sonapur, near Guwahati.
The Assam government has since launched a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly probe the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise.
Earlier, on Thursday, Mr. Gogoi had personally visited the cremation site to oversee the arrangements for Mr. Gandhi’s scheduled tribute.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, commenting on the visit on Thursday, October 16, acknowledged that Mr. Gandhi’s tribute to the cultural icon came 28 days after Garg’s death, but remarked that it was “better late than never.”
Despite the timing, Chief Minister Sarma extended a welcome to Mr. Gandhi’s visit to Assam.