Asom Gana Parishad Writes To PM Modi, Seeks Bharat Ratna For Late Zubeen Garg

Last Updated:October 04, 2025, 17:27 IST

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) wrote a letter to PM Modi and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling for a high-level inquiry into Zubeen Garg’s death and the highest award for the singer.

Zubeen Garg died at the age of 52. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Assam Minister and Asom Gana Parishad leader Atul Bora said on Saturday that his party has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, seeking the Bharat Ratna for late singer Zubeen Garg.

The AGP has also called for a high-level inquiry into the death of Zubeen Garg in Singapore, which triggered an outpouring of grief in Assam. Widely regarded as a cultural icon and voice of the Assamese people, Zubeen’s sudden passing was met with shock and sorrow from his fans and public figures.

“We (Asom Gana Parishad) have written a letter to the PM and the CM for a high-level inquiry. We are demanding that he be conferred the highest civilian award. He should be honoured like that,” Atul Bora told news agency ANI.

Zubeen Garg, who was in Singapore for the 60th year of the India-Singapore Diplomatic Relations and to celebrate India ASEAN Year of Tourism, passed away on September 19. His autopsy report revealed that he died due to drowning while swimming off a Singapore island and not while scuba diving.

Four people – including his manager Siddharth Sharma and North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta – were arrested in connection with Zubeen’s death on suspicion of foul play. Assam CID is currently probing the case of Garg’s death after more than 60 FIRs have been lodged across the state against Mahanta and 10 others.

On Friday, CM Himanta Sarma announced that a judicial panel would be formed to probe Zubeen’s death in Singapore, which will be headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court. He urged people to come forward with any information and videos that may be connected with the singer’s death.

Meanwhile, Bora said the AGP was set to observe its 41st Foundation Day with different programmes, but some of them were curtailed after Zubeen’s unfortunate demise. “We will observe our Foundation Day in a small manner, but other programs, regional parties’ conclave and rallies have been cancelled…We will do that later, depending on the situation,” he said.

The AGP was founded on October 14, 1985, after the historic Assam Accord, following years of agitation against illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. It has formed the Assamese government twice – in 1985 and 1996 – and is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

About the Author

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

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