All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) president Utpal Sarma on Sunday criticised the Assam government over the delay in the construction of Zubeen Kshetra, a memorial site dedicated to late singer Zubeen Garg, and raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the tribute location.
Speaking to the media in Morigaon, Sarma said that even six months after the death of the popular singer, there has been little visible progress in building the memorial. He described the situation as unfortunate and disappointing for the people of Assam.
Sarma alleged that although the government had formed a committee to oversee the construction of Zubeen Kshetra, the public has not been informed about the work carried out by the panel or any proposals it may have submitted. He further noted that the tribute site frequently gets waterlogged after rainfall, which, according to him, reflects negligence and failure on the part of the government.
Referring to the upcoming 2026 Indian general election, Sarma warned that the construction work should not be delayed under the pretext of election-related processes or administrative issues. He urged the authorities to ensure that the project does not suffer further delays, considering its emotional significance for the people.
The AASU president also cautioned political parties against turning the legacy of Zubeen Garg into an electoral issue. “Zubeen Garg is like a burning volcano. Anyone trying to use him for political gain will end up getting burned,” Sarma said.
He further called on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the government to speed up the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death and to ensure strict punishment for those found responsible.
Sarma also commented on the matter related to opening a bank account for Shyamkanu Mahanta.
In addition, he urged the government that if permanent construction of the memorial has not yet begun, at least temporary arrangements should be made so that people can visit the site and pay their tributes without difficulty during the upcoming monsoon season.
