Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday lambasted those who he claims defamed popular singer Zubeen Garg during his lifetime, only to now "worship" him in death amid ongoing investigations into the musician's demise. Speaking out on social media platform X, Sarma described such individuals as "fake fans" driven by political motives rather than genuine admiration. His remarks follow a violent confrontation in Baksa district on Wednesday, where police resorted to baton charges and tear gas to disperse a mob that attacked a police convoy transporting five suspects arrested in connection with Garg's death. The incident underscores the deep emotional outpouring from Garg's legions of fans, who have demanded swift justice since the singer's tragic passing last month.

Garg, a cultural icon in Assam revered for his contributions to Assamese music and cinema, drowned in the sea in Singapore on September 19, 2025, sparking widespread grief and speculation across the region. The Assam government swiftly responded by forming a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances of his death, reflecting the case's high profile and sensitivity. On Wednesday, tensions escalated when the arrested individuals—whose identities and exact roles remain undisclosed—were being transported through Baksa, a district in western Assam.

An angry crowd, protesting perceived delays in the investigation, pelted stones at the convoy, prompting security forces to intervene forcefully to prevent further chaos. No serious injuries were reported, but the episode highlighted the volatile public sentiment surrounding the loss of a figure who symbolised Assamese pride and resilience. Himanta Sarma Slams “Fake Fans” Who Defamed Zubeen Garg, Says They Now Worship Him.

Sarma's pointed critique targets what he calls an "ecosystem" of detractors and political opponents who, in his view, undermined Garg while he was alive through criticism and defamation campaigns. "When Zubeen was alive, the entire ecosystem tried to defame and pull him down. Today, after his death, the same people worship him as a god," he posted on X. He further alleged that these same actors are now orchestrating a "false narrative" to incite unrest and exploit the tragedy for electoral advantage ahead of upcoming assembly polls.

Sarma warned that such manipulations echo the divisive protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019, which he said inflicted long-term harm on the state. He urged the public to trust the judicial process and avoid being swayed by "vested interests", emphasising that true fandom is demonstrated through respect in life, not opportunistic reverence in death.

Also Read: Congress Targets Yogi Over Raebareli Lynching, Seeks SIT Investigation

The chief minister's intervention comes amid broader accusations that certain political parties are stoking emotions among Garg's genuine supporters to manufacture controversy. He claimed that overnight converts to fandom—evidenced by deleted critical social media posts—aim to prolong the issue until it erupts into widespread violence, potentially destabilising Assam akin to unrest in neighbouring Nepal. As the SIT delves deeper into the drowning incident, which authorities have preliminarily classified as accidental but is under scrutiny for foul play, Sarma's words serve as both a call for calm and a salvo in Assam's polarised political landscape.

With pre-election fervour building, the case threatens to become a flashpoint, testing the government's ability to balance justice with social harmony in a state where cultural heroes like Garg hold immense sway.

Also Read: Punjab Police Arrest 61 In Major 5G Infrastructure Theft Crackdown