Thousands of grieving fans of late singer Zubeen Garg blocked National Highway 37 near Jorhat for nearly 11 hours on Monday, demanding a public tribute and final viewing of his mortal remains in the city where he spent his formative years. The unprecedented protest, following news of Zubeen Garg passing away in Singapore, brought traffic to a complete standstill before officials promised a public tribute ceremony, highlighting the massive emotional impact of the cultural icon’s death and the disconnect between public sentiment and administrative protocols.
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The 11-Hour Standstill That Shook Assam
The chaos began in the early hours of Monday when news of Zubeen Garg’s tragic death in Singapore spread across Assam, sparking shock and heartbreak among millions of fans.
As his mortal remains were being transported, thousands of fans gathered en masse on National Highway 37 near Jorhat, refusing to let the procession move forward until a public homage was allowed in their beloved city.
| Protest Timeline | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Early Morning | Fans gather on NH-37 | Traffic begins to slow |
| 8:00 AM | Complete highway blockade | Inter-district transport halted |
| Throughout Day | Continuous protests | Ambulances, emergency services affected |
| 7:00 PM | Blockade ends | Officials promise public tribute |
The protesters lit candles, shouted slogans, and carried placards bearing messages such as “Zubeen Lives Forever” and “We Deserve a Last Goodbye.” The blockade brought traffic on the key highway to a complete standstill, affecting inter-district transport, ambulances, and emergency services across the region.
Family’s Difficult Decision Amid Public Pressure
The family’s choice to hold the funeral in Guwahati rather than Jorhat became a source of intense public disappointment. Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and sister Pamle Borthakur cited the ailing condition of his 85-year-old father as the primary reason for choosing Guwahati over Jorhat, which is more than 300 kilometers away.
Family’s Key Considerations:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Father’s Health | 85-year-old Mohini Mohon Borthakur’s frail condition |
| Travel Distance | 300+ km journey to Jorhat deemed difficult |
| Logistics | Easier arrangements in Guwahati for state honors |
| Medical Support | Better facilities for elderly family members |
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu explained to the media: “The family has also mentioned Sonapur. Once the family decides, the final venue will be announced after the cabinet meeting this evening. We will give a peaceful farewell to the artiste.”
Jorhat’s Emotional Connection to the Icon
Jorhat holds special significance in Zubeen Garg’s life story, often referred to as the ‘cradle’ of his creativity. The singer spent his formative years in Bongal Pukhuri, a suburb just 3km south of Jorhat Town, completing his higher secondary education in science at J.B. College before pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree at B. Borooah College.
Zubeen’s Jorhat Connection:
- Childhood home: Tamulichiga (Jhanji), Assam
- School years: Bongal Pukhuri suburb
- Education: J.B. College and Karimganj College (1990-1992)
- Higher studies: B. Borooah College (incomplete, left for music career)
- Cultural roots: Where he first connected with Assamese folk music
The fans’ demand wasn’t merely sentimental – they viewed Jorhat as Zubeen’s spiritual home, where his musical journey began and where he drew inspiration from local folk traditions under the guidance of Guru Ramani Rai.
Police and Administrative Response
Police and district officials found themselves in an unprecedented situation as thousands of determined fans refused to budge from the highway. The protest highlighted the massive gap between administrative efficiency and public emotional needs during times of profound grief.
Official Response Strategy:
- Immediate deployment of police forces for crowd control
- Negotiations with protest leaders throughout the day
- Coordination with district administration for alternative solutions
- Emergency services rerouting to maintain critical operations
- Political intervention to find acceptable compromises
The blockade affected not just regular traffic but also emergency services, with ambulances and other critical vehicles struggling to find alternative routes through the region.
A Compromise That Honored Both Wishes
After hours of intense negotiation, local officials managed to broker a compromise that satisfied the protesting fans while respecting the family’s practical constraints. The crowd agreed to move only when officials assured them of a public tribute ceremony in the heart of Jorhat city.
Final Agreement Details:
- Cremation to proceed in Kamarkuchi NC village near Guwahati on September 23
- Public tribute ceremony arranged in Jorhat
- Zubeen’s ashes to be taken to Jorhat for immersion
- Memorial to be constructed in both Guwahati and Jorhat
- Government commitment to preserve his ancestral home in Tamulichiga
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the compromise, stating: “Considering the demand of the people of Jorhat, it has been decided to set up another Samadhi Kshetra in Jorhat. The ashes will be taken there to honor the sentiments of his fans.”
The Cultural Impact of Zubeen’s Passing
The highway blockade reflected the extraordinary cultural impact of Zubeen Garg’s death on Assamese society. The singer, who recorded more than 38,000 songs in 40 different languages and dialects over his 33-year career, had become more than an entertainer – he was a cultural bridge and the voice of Assamese identity.
Zubeen’s Legacy Statistics:
- Career span: 33 years (1992-2025)
- Total songs: 38,000+
- Languages: 40 different languages and dialects
- Instruments mastered: 12 including dhol, dotara, guitar, tabla
- Pan-Indian recognition: “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006)
The protest demonstrated how deeply his music had penetrated the collective consciousness of Assam, with fans viewing his death not just as the loss of a singer, but as the end of an era.
Similar Protests and Public Sentiment Across Assam
The Jorhat highway blockade wasn’t an isolated incident. Similar expressions of grief and demand for public access occurred across Assam, reflecting the universal mourning for the cultural icon.
Other Notable Demonstrations:
- Thousands gathering at Guwahati airport when his body arrived
- Mass crowds at Sarusajai Stadium demanding extended viewing hours
- Social media campaigns for public tribute ceremonies
- Cultural organizations organizing memorial events
- Students and youth groups holding candlelight vigils
The scale of public response prompted the Limca Book of Records to recognize Zubeen Garg’s funeral as the fourth-largest public gathering worldwide, following those of Michael Jackson, Pope Francis, and Queen Elizabeth II.
Government’s Delicate Balancing Act
The Assam government found itself navigating between respecting family wishes and managing overwhelming public sentiment. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s administration had to ensure that the funeral arrangements honored both the family’s practical needs and the public’s emotional demands.
Government Initiatives:
- Allocation of 10 bighas of land in Kamarkuchi for memorial
- State funeral with full honors
- Large screens at cremation site for public viewing
- Extended viewing hours at Sarusajai Stadium
- Promise of memorial construction in both cities
- CID investigation into death circumstances
The government’s handling of the situation, while challenging, ultimately demonstrated sensitivity to public sentiment while maintaining respect for family decisions.
The Broader Message of the Protest
The 11-hour highway blockade transcended typical fan demonstrations, representing a deeper cultural phenomenon about how communities claim ownership of their beloved icons. The protesters weren’t simply demanding a venue change – they were asserting their right to bid farewell to someone who had become part of their collective identity.
Symbolic Significance:
- Cultural ownership vs. family privacy
- Public grief requiring public expression
- The role of birthplaces in celebrity legacy
- Democratic expression of mass sentiment
- The power of peaceful protest in cultural matters
Resolution and Moving Forward
The blockade ended around 7 PM when officials successfully convinced the crowd that their demands had been heard and would be addressed. The resolution came through a combination of official promises, political intervention, and recognition that both the family’s practical needs and the public’s emotional needs deserved respect.
Final Arrangements:
- Cremation: September 23, Kamarkuchi NC village, Guwahati
- Ashes immersion: Jorhat, as per public demand
- Memorials: Both Guwahati (cremation site) and Jorhat (cultural site)
- Public access: Extended viewing opportunities and large screen arrangements
- Cultural preservation: Ancestral home in Tamulichiga to become museum
The incident highlighted the massive emotional impact of Zubeen Garg’s passing and revealed the deep disconnect that can exist between administrative protocols and public sentiment during times of collective grief.
As Assam continues to mourn its beloved cultural icon, the Jorhat highway blockade will be remembered not as an act of defiance, but as a testament to the profound impact one voice can have on an entire culture, and how deeply communities can love those who give voice to their dreams and aspirations.
FAQs
Why did Zubeen Garg fans block the highway in Jorhat?
Fans blocked National Highway 37 for 11 hours demanding that Zubeen Garg’s final tribute and funeral be held in Jorhat, where he spent his formative years and which they considered his spiritual home, rather than in Guwahati as the family had decided.
What was the family’s reason for choosing Guwahati over Jorhat for the funeral?
Zubeen Garg’s family chose Guwahati because his 85-year-old father was in frail health and could not travel the 300+ kilometer distance to Jorhat. They felt it would be more practical to hold the funeral near Guwahati where better medical support was available for elderly family members.
How did the authorities resolve the highway blockade situation?
After 11 hours of negotiations, officials promised to arrange a public tribute ceremony in Jorhat city, construct a memorial there, and take Zubeen’s ashes to Jorhat for immersion, while still respecting the family’s decision to hold the cremation in Guwahati.
What impact did the highway blockade have on traffic and emergency services?
The blockade brought National Highway 37 to a complete standstill, affecting inter-district transport, ambulances, and emergency services. Regular traffic was disrupted throughout the day, forcing authorities to find alternative routes for critical services.
5. When and where was Zubeen Garg finally cremated?
Zubeen Garg was cremated with full state honors on September 23, 2025, at Kamarkuchi NC village near Guwahati. As a compromise, his ashes were later taken to Jorhat, and memorials were constructed in both cities to honor both family wishes and public sentiment.
