‘Politics no koriba bondhu’: Zubeen Garg’s Words Inspire Call for Unity at Silchar Gathering

A unity and solidarity gathering was organised in front of Goldighi Mall, Silchar, on Saturday (October 19), in memory of the late Assamese artist Zubeen Garg. The event was jointly convened by the Barak Union for Civil Liberties and the Forum for Social Harmony to pay tribute to the legendary singer, who was known for transcending caste and religion through his art and human values.

Kalparnab Gupta, chief convenor of the Barak Union for Civil Liberties, said Zubeen Garg believed deeply in humanity and rejected divisions based on religion or community. He expressed concern over the growing attacks on linguistic and religious minorities in Assam and the rise of intolerance. “The ongoing evictions, pushbacks at the border under the cover of night, and insults towards people’s faith, food habits, and dress are against Zubeen’s ideals,” Gupta said. He called for awakening the moral conscience of society to stand against such injustice, adding that Zubeen’s simplicity, courage, and compassion should guide that movement.

Representing the Assam Wage Workers’ Union, Mrinal Kanti Som said Zubeen chose to live among ordinary working-class people despite having great opportunities in Mumbai’s music industry. “He felt at home with the people of Assam,” Som said. Criticising the “fascist government” for allegedly carrying out evictions and suppressing minorities for capitalist interests, he added, “To truly be Zubeen’s fan, one must uphold equality and resist injustice.” Som also noted that Zubeen’s untimely death has brought people together beyond caste and religion, urging that this unity be sustained as a long-term movement.

Poet and women’s rights activist Adima Majumdar recited a poem in Zubeen’s memory, while writer and social worker Bijoya Kar Som expressed concern over the recent ban on women journalists at a press conference organised by a Taliban envoy in Delhi. Congress leader Sharifuzzaman Laskar reminded that Zubeen Garg spent his early years studying in the Barak Valley and said, “His sudden demise has left the people of Barak in deep sorrow. The culprits must be punished after a fair investigation.”

Social activist Sukalpa Dutta demanded justice over the mysterious circumstances of Zubeen’s death. BDF’s Joydeep Bhattacharjee remarked that the artist’s socially conscious life and ideas continue to challenge the arrogance of an oppressive regime. Krishanu Bhattacharjee of March for Science said, “To truly honour Zubeen, we must abandon pretence and hypocrisy and learn from his famous words, ‘Politics n koriba bondhu’ (Do not play politics, my friend).”

Biswajit Das from Chorus urged political and social activists to carry Zubeen’s humanist ideals to villages and working communities across Barak Valley. “That is how we can truly nurture his legacy,” he said, warning against turning the late artist into a divine figure while ignoring his real message.

Among others present were Daied Hussain Barbhuiya, Bahar Ahmed Choudhury, Ataur Rahman Barbhuiya, Musa Laskar, Amlendu Das, Minaj Laskar, Haradhan Dutta, Manas Das, and Hrishikesh Dey.

The gathering concluded with a call for continued unity and social harmony in memory of the artist who inspired generations through his music and humanity.