Thousands Gather in Guwahati to Mourn Singer Zubeen Garg

A massive crowd of fans thronged outside the Guwahati home of late singer Zubeen Garg on Sunday as Assam prepared for his funeral. Garg, 52, died in Singapore after drowning during a yacht trip without a life jacket.

His casket, flown from Delhi on a commercial flight late Saturday, was received at Guwahati airport by his wife Garima Saikia. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had received the body in Delhi, accompanied the arrangements. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and senior Assam officials were also present.

Hundreds of supporters had gathered at the airport to receive Garg’s mortal remains, leading to a scuffle that prompted police to use mild force to control the crowd, according to PTI. On Sunday morning, the body was taken to his residence for family tributes before being moved to the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, where the public will be allowed to pay homage between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The Assam cabinet will decide the cremation venue after consultations with Garg’s family and cultural organizations.

According to CM Sarma, Garg removed his life jacket shortly after entering the water, saying it was too large and hindered his swimming. Lifeguards later found him unresponsive, administered CPR, and rushed him to Singapore General Hospital, where he was declared dead. Singaporean authorities are questioning those who accompanied him on the trip.