Chaos Erupts at Guwahati Airport as Fans Break Barricades Awaiting Zubeen’s Mortal Remains

Fast Summary

• Renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, known as the ‘Voice of Assam,’ passed away in Singapore on September 20, 2025, while swimming without a life jacket.
• His mortal remains arrived in New Delhi at midnight and were received by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and other officials.
• A ruckus broke out at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati as emotional fans broke barricades attempting to get closer to the airport building. Police used baton charges to control the crowd.
• Crowds also gathered outside Garg’s residence in Kahilipara,blocking roads. Some mourners sang his popular songs with guitars to honor him.
• The singer’s body is being transported to Guwahati via a special aircraft. It will be kept briefly at his residence for family members before being moved to Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex from 9 am-7 pm on Sunday for public homage.
• Final arrangements for Garg’s cremation are pending consultation with his family and community organizations. The Assam Cabinet will discuss this further on Sunday evening.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Zubeen Garg’s untimely demise marks a profound loss not only for Assamese culture but also Indian music as a whole. His influence extended beyond entertainment into uniting people through art,evident from the strong emotional reactions across social groups following his death.

The large-scale gatherings despite police intervention highlight how deeply he was cherished by fans-reflecting both collective mourning and cultural solidarity in times of grief. Tho, managing excessive crowd behavior amid thes emotions has posed challenges requiring strategic planning by authorities.

The state’s decision to involve Garg’s family and take public sentiments into account when finalizing cremation details shows sensitivity toward local traditions while maintaining administrative order. Going forward, striking such balances could serve as a model approach during large public events tied to cultural icons.

Read more: The Hindu