Zubeen Garg remembered by Rahul Gandhi, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and political leaders nationwide

On Friday, a piece of Assam’s soul went quiet in faraway Singapore. Zubeen Garg, the singer who gave generations of Assamese people their soundtrack of joy, love, and pain, passed away at just 52.

The man who was lovingly called the ‘heartthrob of Assam’ is gone, leaving millions of admirers in shock and sorrow.

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It was an accident that took him away, and the suddenness of it all has made the loss even harder to accept. Across Assam and the Northeast, people describe the moment as unreal.

“He was taken much ahead of time. He had so many dreams for the people, but destiny had other plans,” his uncle, Manoj Borthakur, told The Statesman with grief in his voice.

Also Read: From ‘Anamika’ to ‘Ya Ali’: Zubeen Garg, a man of many emotions, bids farewell

From common fans to national leaders, tributes poured in for the singer. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called his passing “a terrible tragedy,” saying Zubeen’s voice defined a generation. Gandhi remembered how the singer overcame personal pain but never stopped creating music that touched millions.

The passing of Zubeen Garg is a terrible tragedy. His voice defined a generation, and his talent was truly unmatched.

He overcame personal tragedies to reshape the landscape of Assamese music. His perseverance and courage have left an enduring mark.

He will live on in our… pic.x.com/aijxHsnosY

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 19, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described him as “the truest cultural ambassador of the state.” In a message, he wrote, “Zubeen’s voice could energise people like no other. His music spoke to our souls. Today we have lost a favourite son, and future generations will know him as a giant of Assam’s culture.”

শব্দ আজি নিজেই নিজত আবদ্ধ

Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons. I am in a loss of words to describe what Zubeen meant for Assam. He has gone too early, this was not an age to go.

Zubeen’s voice had an unmatched ability to energise people and his music spoke directly to…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 19, 2025

Other leaders echoed the same grief. Gaurav Gogoi said his songs captured the spirit of Assam and would continue to inspire forever.

Shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Assam’s beloved son and musical icon, Zubeen Garg. His music touched millions, capturing the spirit of Assam and giving voice to the emotions of the people. For decades, he stood as a cultural force, an artist whose songs will… pic.x.com/Vo00oJmHPp

— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) September 19, 2025

Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia called him “the cultural soul of Assam.” Jharkhand MLA Kalpana Murmu Soren said his voice gave words to the emotions of millions across India.

The sudden loss of Assam’s phenomenal singer and youth heartthrob, Zubeen Garg, has left a void that can never be filled. He was the cultural soul of Assam, touching countless lives with his songs and carrying the essence of his homeland to the world.

May his soul rest in… https://t.co/D4A5dZFfAU

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) September 19, 2025

Shocked to hear about the untimely demise of Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s brightest cultural icons. His songs gave voice to emotions of people across India.
I extend my deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the people of Assam.
May his soul rest in peace… pic.x.com/xftaiRrL7K

— Kalpana Murmu Soren (@JMMKalpanaSoren) September 19, 2025

प्रसिद्ध गायक, गीतकार, संगीतकार और करोड़ों संगीत प्रेमियों के दिलों में अपनी विशेष जगह बनाने वाले, ज़ुबीन गर्ग के सिंगापुर में एक दुर्घटना में असामयिक निधन से मैं स्तब्ध हूँ।

‘असम की आवाज़’ के रूप में प्रशंसित, कई भारतीय भाषाओं में उन्होंने अपनी आवाज़ से लोगों को मंत्रमुग्ध किया… pic.x.com/yFRHxecQkp

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 19, 2025

But the most heartfelt tributes came from ordinary fans. On the streets, in tea gardens, in schools, and online, people remembered how his songs became part of their daily lives.

Born in 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya, and raised in Jorhat, Assam, Zubeen seemed destined for music. His parents named him after the world-famous conductor Zubin Mehta. In his childhood home, music was life itself.

He released his first album ‘Anamika’ in 1992, which instantly made him a household name in Assam. With that album, young Zubeen became not just a singer but a companion for the people of Assam.

Then came his Bollywood breakthrough. In 2006, he sang ‘Ya Ali’ for the film ‘Gangster’. The haunting song spread like wildfire, becoming one of the most popular tracks of the decade. Suddenly, India knew what Assam had always known, that this voice was rare and unforgettable.

Over the years, Zubeen recorded more than 38,000 songs in nearly 40 languages. From Assamese to Hindi, Bengali to Nepali, his songs crossed borders and spoke to hearts everywhere.