The Youth Congress could lead to further embarrassment for the grand old party owing to an abject display of Hindu hatred by one of its leaders and spokespersons, during a discussion on a TV channel. Consistent with the party’s history of Hindumesia and attacks on the beliefs of the majority population in the country, its spokesperson from Kerala, Dr Jinto John, recently exposed his bigoted ideology and animosity towards the Hindu community and its faith.
The conversation concerned the alleged cyberbullying directed at K J Shine, the leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Unnikrishnan, a party MLA. However, John made a highly offensive remark about Lord Krishna which provoked a significant backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party. he maliciously claimed, “In Kerala, Unnikrishnan is the name given to people who indulge in immoral activities.”
Kerala Congress spokesperson Jinto John on live TV shamelessly said, "all who commit adultery are called Unni Krishnan (Little Krishna)."
One after another, Congress leaders spit venom on Hindu gods and mock the faith – because in Congress, insulting Sanatan and abusing deities… pic.twitter.com/FsBU6aBjqx
However, the statement soon led to a political storm in the state. “The word ‘Unnikrishnan’ has great sentimental value in the hearts of Hindus. It involves reverence and love. It is natural for people who lead a low life to think of immoral activities when they hear the word Unnikrishnan. Do not think that Hindus will keep silent if anyone defames their deity,” retaliated BJP leader B Gopalakrishnan and demanded a public apology from John and his party.
However, sensing that his outrageous comments could potentially lead to further trouble, John expressed regret and insisted that it was merely a slip of the tongue. “It occurred in the middle of an argument with the channel anchor,” he added. Meanwhile, Sunny Joseph, the president of the KPCC (Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee) informed that he had not yet been contacted about disciplinary action regarding the issue.
John’s defamatory post against K J Shine had already prompted the CPM leaders to boycott him in channel debates. There is reportedly dissatisfaction inside the Congress with the actions of some Youth Congress leaders which are believed to have placed the leadership in a difficult situation.
Nemom Shajeer, the leader of the Youth Congress escorted MLA Rahul Mamkootathil to the assembly session, despite the fact that the former was suspended from the party’s core membership. The leaders are yet to take any action in this matter. A KPCC leader also voiced, “There is no control over the youth leaders who are on a rampage in Kerala politics.”
On 21st September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation announcing that next generation GST reforms will come into effect from 22nd September, the first day of Navratri. PM Modi said that the new structure, which he termed as “GST Bachat Utsav”, will ensure savings for every citizen and boost India’s growth story.
He said, “From tomorrow, with the sunrise of Navratri, next generation GST reforms will come into force. In a way, the nation will celebrate a GST Bachat Utsav, where every family’s savings will grow.”
PM Modi highlighted that daily essentials including food items, medicines, soaps, toothpaste, health and life insurance, and many services will either be tax-free or taxed only at 5%. Products earlier falling under the 12% slab have now largely been moved to 5%. He said this would directly benefit the poor, middle class, neo-middle class, farmers, shopkeepers, traders and women, bringing festive cheer to households.
Simplified tax structure
PM Modi recalled how before GST, India was trapped in a maze of multiple taxes including octroi, entry tax, sales tax, excise, VAT and service tax. Transporting goods across cities involved multiple check-posts and paperwork, often leading to higher costs for consumers. He said GST reforms introduced in 2017 freed the nation from decades of tax complications, realising the dream of “One Nation, One Tax”. The new reforms will now reduce slabs to primarily 5% and 18%, making compliance easier and boosting investment.
New GST reforms are being implemented. Only 5% and 18% tax slabs will now remain. pic.twitter.com/Yy7rynnh6E
PM Modi recalled an instance reported in a foreign newspaper where a company found it easier to send goods from Bengaluru to Europe and then back to Hyderabad, rather than directly transporting them within India. He said this example illustrated the heavy burden of multiple taxes and tolls before GST, when businesses struggled daily with delays, paperwork and rising costs that were ultimately passed on to ordinary citizens.
Boost for MSMEs and Atmanirbhar Bharat
PM Modi stressed that reduced GST rates and simplified procedures will benefit MSMEs, cottage industries and small traders as it will increase sales and reduce tax burden. He added that India’s economic strength during its prosperous times rested on MSMEs and urged them to manufacture world-class products with pride in ‘Made in India’.
He stressed that Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just a slogan but a collective responsibility, with MSMEs playing a central role in shaping India’s manufacturing strength. PM Modi said, “Just as our freedom was strengthened by the mantra of swadeshi, our prosperity too will come from swadeshi. Let every household and every shop become a symbol of it.”
PM Modi underlined that citizens are now receiving a “double bonanza” with relief in income tax up to Rs 12 lakh and reduced GST rates. He said this combined relief will lead to savings of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore annually for the people. Stressing the mantra of “Nagrik Devo Bhav”, he said, “This is why I am calling it a Bachat Utsav,” and urged citizens to take pride in purchasing Indian-made goods.
Call to states for cooperation
PM Modi also appealed to the state governments and asked them to join hands with the Centre in accelerating manufacturing, creating a conducive environment for investment, and taking forward the mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He concluded his address by extending Navratri greetings and wishing the nation prosperity through the GST Bachat Utsav.
The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Bhojpuri singer and activist Neha Singh Rathore, who had asked for the quashing of an FIR registered against her over a series of social media posts. The court said that the allegations made against her showed a clear case for police investigation and directed her to cooperate with the authorities.
The order was passed on Friday, 19th September, by a division bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi. The bench told Rathore to appear before the investigating officer on 26th September at 11 a.m. sharp and cooperate with the investigation until the police submit their final report.
The judges observed that the charges against her were not baseless and prima facie pointed to a cognizable offence. They also remarked that the timing of her tweets was important and sensitive, since they were posted immediately after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Earlier booked by Lucknow police
In April this year, Lucknow’s Hazratganj police had booked Rathore under different sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR was based on her posts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). In those posts she wrote, after the terror attack in Pahalgam, Modi came to Bihar to threaten Pakistan so that he could garner votes in the name of nationalism.
She had also written that instead of finding terrorists and admitting its mistake, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted to plunge the country into war.
“In the Bihar elections, they can either get votes in the name of Hindu-Muslim or India-Pakistan; there is no third option, and these people will choose those two options,” she further wrote in one of the posts.
The court said, she used name of PM in disrespectful manner
While rejecting her plea, the High Court noted that Rathore had used the “name of the Prime Minister of India in a derogatory and disrespectful manner.” The judges said that her posts not only targeted the Prime Minister but also the Home Minister and suggested that the BJP government was willing to sacrifice the lives of soldiers and even risk war with a neighbouring country for its political gains.
The court pointed out that many such tweets were part of the case diary, and several had been specifically mentioned in its order. According to the bench, “The comments she made, the petitioner has used a religious angle, Bihar election angle, accusing the Prime Minister by name and saying that the B.J.P. Government is sacrificing the lives of thousands of soldiers for its vested interest, pushing the country into a war with a neighbouring country.”
Rathore’s lawyer, Advocate Kamal Kishore Sharma, argued that her posts fell under the right to freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. He said she had simply expressed her views and that no state authority had the right to suppress her voice.
The State, however, was represented by Government Advocate V.K. Singh, joined by advocates S.N. Tilhari and Vipul Kumar Singh, who opposed the petition and defended the FIR.
Following an examination of the arguments and evidence presented, the Allahabad High Court declined to cancel the FIR and asked Rathore to cooperate fully in the probe that was already in progress. With this ruling, the singer will now be required to appear before the investigators later this month and keep cooperating until police submit their report.
As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, certain elements are making efforts to vitiate the atmosphere. Their aim is evident: to divide the society, instigate discord between Hindus and Muslims and exploit this for vote-bank politics. Two recent events in Purnia and Darbhanga illustrated how some individuals are trying to provoke religious sentiments by stirring tensions.
The defacement of the Goddess Durga idol in Purnia and the dispute regarding the immersion of the idol of Baba Vishwakarma in Darbhanga have pointed out that peace and harmony in Bihar are under threat. We will look into these occurrences and understand how they are nothing but a tool to gain political advantage.
Attack on idol of Goddess Durga
The destruction of the Goddess Durga idol at Majgama Haat in Purnia incited widespread outrage in the area. These idols were in the process of being created for Durga Puja, a significant holy festival for the Hindu community. On the morning of Friday, 19th September, people noticed the damage and their anger boiled over.
Locals detained a Muslim youth accused of vandalization. The furious crowd assaulted him, tied his hands with a rope, blocked the road and began arson. The situation escalated to the point where authorities had to intervene. They managed to save the young man from the mob and secured him in a government facility.
However, the enraged mob also turned against the cops. This event led to a tense environment in Purnia. The residents flooded the streets, setting tires ablaze and the police faced challenges in restoring order. Nonetheless, the pressing question remains: why did this happen? Was it merely the action of a person or was there a meticulously designed conspiracy at play?
Chaos over idol immersion in Darbhanga
An unrest erupted regarding the immersion of the idol of Baba Vishwakarma in Kataharia village located within the jurisdiction of the Singhwara police station in Darbhanga. This marked the inaugural celebration of Baba Vishwakarma Puja in the village. A procession was organized for the immersion, however, some persons raised objections and halted the procession from traversing their village.
This led to a charged atmosphere as locals asserted that the procession adhered to the approved route, yet the protest erupted unexpectedly. The authorities attempted to manage the situation. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) arrived at the apot with a substantial police presence but their efforts were ineffective.
The administration eventually had to alter the procession’s route to prevent further disputes. Consequently, the idol was transported for immersion via the Gaighat police station area in Muzaffarpur district which was a longer path. This incident provoked the ire of the local populace. A young man remarked, “We offer juice during their festivals but today the route of our sacred event was blocked.” It is apparent that the religious sentiments of the people have been wounded, leading to anger.
What is the motive behind these incidents
Upon reviewing these two incidents in Bihar, it is evident that there is a deliberate attempt to disturb the atmosphere prior to the Bihar Assembly elections. The instances in Purnia and Darbhanga are not coincidental. Both events have provoked religious sentiments and their timing appears to be meticulously orchestrated.
Major festivals like Durga Puja are approaching in the state with the assembly elections likely to follow soon after. Hence, some individuals are attempting to incite tension between Hindus and Muslims, thereby polarizing the voting demographic. Voter polarization is a well-established aspect of Bihar’s political dynamics.
Certain parties, particularly those that profess to be supportive of Muslims such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) intend to capitalize on such incidents. Their goal is to unify Muslim voters and convey that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Janata Dal United (JDU) alliance is against their interest.
Development vs political conspiracy
The timing of the Purnia incident is particularly significant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled projects totaling ₹40,000 crore there. Initiatives related to trains, airports and other development projects were inaugurated. Bihar is swiftly advancing along the path of development. The BJP-JDU coalition government has made efforts to improve law and order while fostering development. Nevertheless, as discussions about development intensify, few elements tried to disrupt the peace and harmony.
The Mahagathbandhan believes that it is unable to confront the NDA on the plank of development. Therefore, it seeks to provoke religious and communal problems. The events in Purnia and Darbhanga serve as exmaples of the same. Incidents such as the vandalism of idols and the obstruction of idol immersions stir public emotions and propagate animosity within society. As a result, the focus shifts away from development, prompting individuals to become mired in emotional issues.
Strategy to vitiate the atmosphere before the polls
All communities in Bihar coexist and participate in each other’s festivals. So, why are such incidents taking place? It is evident that this is a ploy by certain individuals aiming to divide society. The residents of Bihar, regardless of being Hindu or Muslim, uphold values of peace and fraternity. However, some political factions want to disrupt this unity for their own gain.
A similar scenario was observed in Darbhanga. A young man remarked that he takes part in the festivals of the Muslim community, so why was route to his festival obstructed? This question lingers in the minds of all Biharis. People recognize that this is merely a component of a political strategy.
Such events are expected to escalate prior to the assembly elections in Bihar. Additional controversies may arise concerning idol immersion during significant festivals such as Durga Puja. The objective is to create a rift between Hindu and Muslim voters. Certain parties aim to consolidate Muslim voters in their favor. This type of political ploy poses a threat to the development and peace of Bihar.
The occurrences in Purnia and Darbhanga are manifestations of a conspiracy intended to poison the atmosphere leading up to the Bihar elections. These incidents are a strategy to split society and polarize the votes. However, the people of Bihar are discerning. They understand that their true priorities are development, employment and peace. It is crucial for us to recognize these political gameplans and come together to advance the state. The strength of Bihar is rooted in its peace and harmony which cannot be shattered by anyone.
Guwahati on Sunday witnessed an unprecedented scene, lakhs of people lining up on the both sides of the road from the airport to the city. Everyone just wants to do one thing, to catch a final glimpse of the man whose voice had been the soundtrack of their lives. Thousands of people surrounded the vehicle transporting the mortal remains of singer Zubeen Garg to his residence in Kahilipara, creating a massive unannounced procession, and slowing down the schedule by several hours.
52-year-old Zubeen Garg – a singer, composer, actor, filmmaker and activist, and Assam’s biggest cultural icon – died suddenly in Singapore on Friday. He was vising Singapore to attend the North East India Festival, which now has been called off. On Friday, he had gone on a yacht tour along with around 18 people. They stopped the vessel at a place and jumped into the water to swim. Zubeen was initially wearing a life jacket, but later took it off as it was not fitting properly. During the second swim without the jacket, he became motionless, and the yacht crew immediately rescued him.
He was administered CPR on the yacht and at the port after returning, but was not successful. He was then transferred to Singapore General Hospital and admitted to ICU. But as he was not responding, he was declared dead.
What followed was an outpouring of emotion and grieve, and sent shockwaves through Assam. The tragic demise brought Assam to a standstill, markets were shuttered on Saturday, a three-day state mourning was declared, half-yearly exams postponed, spontaneous candle-light processions were held, and people are lighting diyas in front of Garg’s portrait at every street corner in every city, town and village in Assam.
This is no ordinary farewell; this is a testament to a cultural icon whose absence has carved an irreplaceable void in the heart of every Assamese.
Singapore authorities conducted an autopsy yesterday and handed over the mortal remains to Zubeen’s friends and colleagues accompanying him. The mortal remains was flown to New Delhi, from where it was transported to Guwahati. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma reached Delhi last night to supervise the entire process.
It was earlier announced that Zubeen Garg will be taken to his residence in the morning, from there he will be taken to Sarusajai Stadium where people will be able to pay him last respect from 9 am till 7 pm. But, the presence of lakhs of people at the airport and on the road leading to his stadium meant that the entire schedule had to be tossed away, as the convoy reached the residence well pass 12 in the day.
The sea of people gathering to pay the last respect to Zubeen Garg shows who he was form them, a living symbol of their language, culture, emotions and aspirations. For people outside Assam and mainstream media, he may be the mere ‘Ya Ali’ singer, but for people of Assam, he was the most consequential cultural figure to emerge in the state in the last three decades.
Zubeen Garg was more than a singer, he was the soul of Assam, a bridge between tradition and modernity, and a fierce advocate for his homeland’s identity. Over his career spanning over three decades, he sang thousands of songs, composed music for films in multiple languages, acted in and made films, and released poetry and books – a genuinely multi-disciplinary artist.
From Humble Beginnings to the Heartbeat of Assam
Born Zubeen Borthakur on April 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, to a family deeply immersed in the arts, Zubeen’s early years were a melody of influences. His mother, the late Ily Borthakur, was a renowned Sattriya dancer, actress and singer, while his father, Mohini Mohon Borthakur, is a retired Magistrate, also a lyricist and poet who writes under the pen name Kapil Thakur.
Garg started to sing from the age of three, his first guru was his mother. He also learnt to play several musical instruments, including the tabla and guitar. He could play over a dozen instruments, and was usually seen playing one while singing at concerts.
Zubeen Borthakur spent his childhood in Jorhat, where he absorbed the rhythms of Bihu, folk music and the classical strains of Sattriya music, blending them with his innate talent for melody. By his teens, he was already a local sensation, performing at school functions and cultural events, his voice carrying the raw emotion of the Brahmaputra Valley.
He had enrolled at B Barooah College in Guwahati to do BSc, but he dropped out before completing the degree to pursue a full-time career in music.
His first album Anamika was released in 1992, and was an instant hit. While releasing the album, he dropped the Borthakur surname and used Garg, the name of his gotra. He was careful about creating a distinct identity for himself, with different surname, long hairs. After that, he released albums at regular intervals, each more hit than the previous. NK Production of Assam produced and marketed all of his earlier albums, which came in cassette tapes before transitioning to CDs and then streaming.
Zubeen’s first album Anamika, it included a song by Kavita Krishnamurthy too
Some of his most popular solo albums are Maya (1994), Asha (1995), Zubeenor Gaan (1995), Rong (1996), Mukti (1997), Sobdo (1998), Pakhi (1999), Shishu (2002), Jantra (2004), Mukha (2006), Rumaal (2008), Baahi (2011), Rock (2012), Maa (2019) and Silaa (2020). Apart from these solo albums, his songs were included in thousands of other albums of other artists. Producers would include just one Zubeen’s song to market it as Zubeen’s album, which would ensure superhit status for the album. Parallelly, he also sang for a large number Assam movies.
A fan’s collection of almost entire discography of Zubeen Garg (source: Guwahati Plus)
His track “Mayabini Ratir Xur” for the movie Daag captured the ethereal beauty of Assam’s landscapes and the ache of unrequited love, resonating deeply with a youth hungry for music that mirrored their world. He had famously asked people to sing this song after his death, which have been done diligently by his fans across the state. Even CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and other officials recited song in front of Zubeen’s casket at Delhi Airport last night.
He was not just a singer, he also wrote a large number of songs, and also composed songs written by him and others. Over the years, he composed and sang over 5,000 songs in Assamese alone.
He recorded an average of 800 songs a year, and thus have recorded around 38,000 songs in several languages, including Hindi, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Adi, Boro, Dimasa, English, Goalpariya, Kannada, Karbi, Malayalam, Marathi, Mising, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Odia, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Tiwa, apart from Assamese.
He also produced several Assamese movies and acted in them, establishing himself as a popular film hero. He had several movies lined up, including sequels.
Zubeen Garg moved to Mumbai in mid 90s to work in the Hindi movie industry, and recorded few Hindi albums and remixes. He bought a house in Mumbai and recorded his several of his albums there.
However, his initial success in Bollywood was limited, with music directors preferring to use his voice only for high-pitch segments of songs, which was difficult for other singers but he could do it effortlessly. He soon realised that such typecasting will ruin his career, and stopped accepting such offers. Later he attained success in Bollywood. Apart from ‘Ya Ali’ from Gangster, some other famous Hindi songs are Rama Re from Kante, Jaane Kya from Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Subah Subah from I See You, Teri Tamanna from The Killer, Dil Tu Hi Bataa from Krrish 3 etc. However, he later moved back to Guwahati, saying that he didn’t like living in Mumbai.
Zubeen Garg has also given his voice for several Bengali movies. He has recorded Bengali versions of most of his popular Assamese songs.
His career shaped the musical tastes of a generation in the state. Youths aspired to become the next Zubeen Garg, and many have succeeded, carving their own place in Assam’s music industry.
Zubeen Garg’s sister Jongki Barthakur was aslo a talented singer and actor. But she died in a tragic road accident in 2002. She was travelling with Zubeen Garg’s team to perform at a cultiral event. Zubeen was also in the same vehicle initially, but switched to a different car before the accident. Zubeen often posted about her on social media.
The Cultural Icon of Assam
For the people of Assam, Zubeen Garg was not merely an entertainer, he was a cultural icon. He arrived at the musical scene in Assam when popular Assamese songs were mostly ‘inspired’ by other music, a trend also seen in Hindi film music also of the time. Zubeen Garg effortlessly blended Assam’s folk songs with modern music and instruments, and created an entire new genre of music for the state.
He was the voice that defined an era, empowering identity through lyrics that wove tales of the mighty Brahmaputra, the lush tea gardens, and the unyielding spirit of the Assamese people.
Fresh and original, his songs were always instant hits, with cassettes selling in lakhs immediately after release. He brought sale volumes to the industry unheard in the past. What elevated Zubeen to the pinnacle of Assamese cultural icons was his authenticity.
His concerts drew lakhs of people, transforming grounds into seas of swaying fans chanting his tunes. Instead of chasing Bollywood glamour, Zubeen returned to Assam to invest in local talent and infrastructure, and serve the Assamese cultural landscape.
His songs, spanning devotional bhajans, folk songs, romantic ballads, movie melodies and protest anthems, mirrored the multifaceted soul of Assam, from its spiritual depth to its socio-political fire.
Notably, he was a people’s star, was always approachable. While visiting various towns in Assam to perform, he would often sit with local youths, gossip and drink with them till early morning. Zubeen’s simplicity made him relatable, made him ‘Zubeen Da’ of everyone. Despite being a celebrity, people could relate to him as he spoke in the same manner as them.
However, he was also criticised for his casual approach to performing on stage, sometimes he was visibly drunk on the stage. He would often rudely turn down a fan for requesting a song he didn’t want to sing, and people loved him for his such behaviour, as he talked and behaved like a friend, not a star with an aura who needs to speak with dignity. He didn’t even hesitate from using swear words sometimes, which other artists can’t even think of.
He was his own person, fiercely independent. He didn’t listen to anyone. He had promised multiple times to stop drinking, only to break that promise each time. He didn’t care about his image, even his health, which took a big toll.
While maintaining his simplicity, Zubeen Garg was aware of his celebrity status and his fandom in Assam. In a candid video that has gone viral now, he was heard telling a friend, ‘nobody will care when you die, but when I die, Assam will be shut down for a week’.
Zubeen Garg was also deeply involved in philanthropy, and was very vocal about social issues. He played a role in mobilising public sentiment for social causes and used celebrity status for civic ends. He led rescue efforts during disasters such and flood, and donated generously to the needy. He listened to his conscience, speaking out on issues like language rights, identity of Assam and women’s safety.
His music became a rallying cry for Assamese people during turbulent times, including the anti-CAA protests in 2019-2020. Although he was close with top BJP leaders like Himanta Biswa Sarma and Sarbananda Sonowal, he was very critical of CAA, and was familiar face of the protests. When five people died in the protests, he sang his ‘Mrityu etiya hohoj’ (now death is easy) at a protest venue, making people extremely emotional.
He championed environmental causes, protesting deforestation and river pollution, and was an advocate for wildlife conservation.
Further, Zubeen mentored young artists, produced albums for emerging talents, and used his platform to highlight Assam’s crafts and culture. As a cultural icon, he was fearless, compassionate, and unapologetically Assamese.
Outrage with Mourning
While the entire state is mourning the untimely death, some fans are also outraged, and angry on Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma and North East India Festival’s organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta. Fans allege that their negligence was the cause of the tragic death.
This is because, Zubeen Garg was facing health issues, and was hospitalised several times in the last few years. He had collapsed and had seizures multiple times, leading to hospitalisations. His heavy workload and careless lifestyle had taken a toll his health, and his fans were already worried about the same. He had to reduce the number of his public performances, and he was visibly tired after such performances on several occasions.
Therefore, people believe that Zubeen’s colleagues should not have allowed him to go to the boat trip and swimming, as any physically strenuous activity could be fatal to him.
Several FIRs have been filed against the duo at several police stations in Assam. Therefore, CM Himanta Biswa Sarmar has ordered to merge all the cases and handed over the same to the CID to investigate.
Assam govt has also requested the Singapore govt to conduct a thorough probe to see if there was any conspiracy angle behind the incident. 18 people who were present in the yacht with the singer are already being questioned by the Singaporean authorities.
While Zubeen’s wife Garima Saikia Garg has appealed people to not target Siddharth and Shyamkanu, CM Sarma said that as FIRs have been filed, they will be questioned by the police.
The Final Journey
Lakhs of people of all ages have arrived in Guwahati to pay their last respect to their beloved artist. The entire state government has been involved in the arrangements for memorable last moments. Starting from the Chief Minister himself, various cabinet ministers are supervising various arrangements.
The unprecedent number of people have meant that even the best preparations are not enough. The govt had planned to bring the mortal remains to Zubeen’s residence by earlier morning and transport the same to Sarusajai Stadium after an hour, and had announced that public would be allowed to pay the last respects from 9 AM.
However, the casket was too big to fit in any chartered flight, and they had to transport to same by an Air India flight at 4.30 AM. When the flight reached Guwahati, there was a sea of humanity, and they proceeded towards the Kahilipara with the vehicle carrying the casket. Therefore, what was meant to be a quick less than hour transport turned into an unannounced massive procession, with the journey taking over 6 hours.
The mortal remains of Zubeen Garg reached the stadium only after 2 pm today. As a result, the CM has announced that fans will be able to see their beloved singer for the whole night and then the whole day tomorrow. “Bhogeswar Baruah Stadium will remain open throughout the night today for the public to pay their respects to Zubeen. Tomorrow also, the mortal remains of Zubeen will be kept at Sarusajai for people to offer their homage,” the CM posted on social media.
Zubeen’s wife Garima Saikia Garg
Therefore, it is likely that the last rites will be performed on Tuesday.
The government has already started selecting a proper site for cremation, which will then be turned into a memorial. Such a memorial was built for Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on a plot donated by Gauhati University, where he was cremated.
The CM and the top officials of the govt visited the shortlisted sites in the Sonapur area on the eastern outskirts of the city, and one of them will be finalised after discussions with the family.
Congress supporters on social media circulated a trimmed video of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s interview with NDTV on Saturday (20th September) to claim that the BJP openly admitted to hacking Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The short clip was edited in a way that only a portion of Gupta’s reply was shown, giving the impression that she had accepted the charge of EVM manipulation.
Screengrab of the trimmed video
In the misleading version, the interviewer is heard saying, “ABVP or BJP are winning only because they are hacking EVMs and the Election Commission supports you.” To this, Rekha Gupta is seen replying, “Yes, when they were doing it for 70 years no one had a problem, but when we did it suddenly it became wrong. That’s right.” This cut version was then widely shared with captions suggesting BJP had admitted to EVM hacking. .
However, OpIndia accessed the original video and fact-checked the trimmed clip circulated by Congress supporters on social media, which revealed a different story. In the longer video, the interviewer clearly frames the question as Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the BJP wins only by hacking EVMs. Responding to this, Gupta said, “When they win, it is people’s mandate. When we win, it suddenly becomes EVM hacking. Can someone tell me in which book this formula is written? From where has Rahul Gandhi studied?” She accused him of misleading ordinary citizens by creating such perceptions.
Further in the interview, when told that Gen Z might rise against BJP, Gupta replied, “The youth and GenZ have already spoken. The ABVP’s victories in universities show how much support is with us.” She concluded by saying, “The blessings of the people are with Prime Minister Modi and will always remain so.”
The contrast between the trimmed and original videos highlights how Congress can resort to such instincts to spread a misleading narrative and fuel their long-standing charge of ‘vote theft’ through EVM hacking.
“I am going to rip that strength to pieces. I am going to take it and shred it,” Rahul Gandhi infamously conveyed in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s credibility during an India Today interview amid the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He further claimed that the lie would be successfully propagated due to his persistence.
While this statement might be a few years old, the Lok Sabha MP, his party and their entire ecosystem have continued to live by the same. The Congress-led I.N.D.I. Alliance and its supporters have left no stone unturned in their efforts to malign the prime minister and the present government despite numerous failures and criticisms.
In the unrelenting chase for power and the prolonged frustration over the inability to secure the Indian electorate’s favour, the opposition has resorted to vilifying the nation’s institutions including the Election Commission, branding them as anti-democratic and corrupt.
The comprehensive campaign against “vote chori (theft),” the assault on the essential Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in Bihar, allegations of voter disenfranchisement and the ongoing demonization of the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, represent an extension of the same malicious agenda.
Nevertheless, akin to their established premise of shoot and scoot, the Gandhi scion and his allies have religiously refrained from providing their allegations in a sworn affidavit, despite repeated requests from the election authority. They want their assertions to be accepted as gospel truth by the nation, yet refuse to present any evidence to aid their critical accusations while orchestrating press conferences and public rallies to incite voters against the government and the election commission.
Yogendra Yadav exposes real intention behind the allegations
Currently, Congress advocate and full-time propagandist Yogendra (Salim) Yadav has stepped into the limelight and announced what was already evident, considering the dubious history of his political masters. In an interview with Arfa Khanum Sherwani from “The Wire,” recognized as another vital source of fabricated narratives and disinformation, he announced that the grand old party will not furnish any evidence in support of its accusations of vote chori.
The interaction that was released on 20th September on the official YouTube channel of the media outlet alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was directly involved in vote theft. During the discussion, Yogendra Yadav insisted that even BJP supporters have become doubtful and believe that the party is engaged in some unethical practices.
He then rejected the notion of taking legal action, stating that submitting affidavits or approaching courts is pointless. Yadav stressed that this situation revolves around public perception rather than factual evidence and Rahul Gandhi has effectively influenced public sentiment to his advantage. Additionally, he noted that anti-BJP and neutral voters have been viewing the ruling party with scepticism.
Vote Chori campaign is not about going to Court and Prove facts. It is a game of PERCEPTION and sowing seeds of DOUBT in the mind of Voters against Modi and this time Rahul is succeeding with the plan! pic.twitter.com/mdG09zp1Nh
Yadav clearly outlined the rationale behind the lack of proof or submission, pointing out that the allegations were never about truth but designed to target the BJP and PM Modi with the aim to shift voter support to the opposition. Reaffirming his assertion of the saffron party’s purported participation in vote theft, he added that the latter’s supporters are suggesting that PM Modi is fine but something is not quite right.
Yadav announced that this subject has been addressed with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during party meetings and gatherings. However, just as Rahul Gandhi, he too avoided substantiating his claims with any proof.
Notably, the Congress ecosystem has stripped away its facade and much like the past instances of leveraging the country’s institutions to attack the central government headed by the BJP, this new set of allegations is no exception. Yadav stated that the BJP is directly committing “vote theft,” highlighting how the Congress and opposition have only utilized the electoral body to advance their political agenda without a second thought about the damage they inflicted on its reputation.
They evidently do not care about the harm caused to the nation or its foundational elements of democracy while pursuing their political objectives. It mirrors the manner in which the opposition has relentlessly attacked other institutions such as the judiciary, depicting it as an extension of the centre when judgements do not align with their interests.
Conclusion
After resounding failure of their efforts to remove PM Modi from Delhi and with no likelihood of a return in the foreseeable future, Congress and its supporters have concocted outrageous allegations in hopes of regaining power at the centre and “voti chori” is simply an expansion of their intentions to demean the country’s leader.
Rahul Gandhi and the opposition have started a political project against the Election Commission and the BJP through press conferences, presentations and political programs maintaining that significant voter fraud is occurring in the country. They charge that people are being added and removed from the voters list to benefit the BJP.
In a politically calculated move, the concerns were not raised within the 45-day period allotted to legally challenge the election outcome after the results were declared. Moreover, as anticipated, they have refused to submit the same under oath even now despite demands from the Election Commission, which took the matter seriously and aimed to ensure transparency.
Likewise, the falsehoods have been regularly busted by the Election Commission and other fact-checks, similar to how Rahul Gandhi was humiliated before the Supreme Court and forced to provide a written apology during the Rafale controversy. Nevertheless, since the truth has not deterred him or his supporters from their sinister goals, it is unlikely to do so now.
Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud finally gave answers to the long-running questions about the death of Judge B.H. Loya. In an interview with Lallantop on Saturday (20th September), Chandrachud said, “People can disagree with a judgment. That’s part of democracy,” he said, but it is wrong to attack the intentions of judges.”
According to him, it’s not just unfair but dangerous when debates move away from evidence and turn into attacks on the judiciary itself.
Recalling the night of Judge Loya’s death
Chandrachud walked through the sequence of events and said, Judge Loya, who was in Nagpur in November 2014 to attend a colleague’s wedding, was staying at a government guest house called Ravi Bhavan along with other judges. The question arose as to how three judges can live in the same room.
In response, Justice DY Chandrachud said, “During the hearing, we had told the court that you (the counsellor) do not know about the judiciary, the country and the society. When we have gone to a wedding, many judges live together. Many times, 20-25 or 10-15 judges live together.”
On the same night, Justice Loya woke two colleagues early in the morning around at 4 am, saying he wasn’t feeling well. Then, the two judges helped him and took him to the hospital in the auto. The question was, why didn’t they take the car.
In response, Justice DY Chandrachud said, “Maybe they didn’t know, it was a normal thing. Not every judge has his own driver, his own car. When I was also a Supreme Court judge, my driver did not live in my house. Their house is different. Not at all in the district judiciary…”
Justice DY Chandrachud further said that both the judges made Justice Loya sit in the auto. He then told the driver to take him to a nearby hospital. He was undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Then the doctors said that the issue of cardiac is, you will have to be taken to the cardiac hospital. The judges asked where the nearest cardiac hospital was.
He then took Justice Loya to the Cardiac Hospital. By that time, he suffered a massive heart attack and died. The question arose as to why the attitude of the two judges accompanying Justice Loya was not ordinary; why did they take them to the hospital in an auto?
In response, DY Chandrachud says, “Unlike high-earning lawyers, I do not travel with drivers or private cars. Even when I was the CJI, my driver was not living with us. He even cited another recent instance where a judge in transit had a heart attack and died despite prompt attention, to show that sudden medical crises can happen despite best efforts.”
The third argument was that when Justice Loya was suffering, why did he not take him directly to the cardiac hospital? Why was he taken to Orthopaedic Hospital? In response, Justice DY Chandrachud said, “In our homes, if parents have a problem, then we think about how to solve it immediately. The judges did the same. Can we say that the two judges, with Justice Loya, wanted to kill him in the meantime?”
You can criticise a judgment, but don’t question judges’ intentions: Ex-CJI
At last, Chandrachud underlined a simple point: judges’ decisions can be debated, but accusing judges of bad faith is a different and dangerous thing. He said the Supreme Court examined the Loya case on its merits and answered every question placed before it. People are free to disagree with the decision; they are not free, he said, to impugn the personal motives of the judges who heard the matter.
The former CJI also warned that even if a fresh inquiry were ordered, it would not end the controversy. Chandrachud argued that a fresh investigation would be seized upon by critics as proof of a cover-up if it found nothing, or as proof of conspiracy if it found anything at all. He said this pattern, repeatedly demanding probes to keep a political narrative alive, is what ultimately damages public faith in institutions.
He described attempts to drag the judiciary into political battles as a worrying trend. While legal rulings are open to criticism and debate, turning that debate into campaigns that cast doubt on the personal integrity of judges was unacceptable, he said. That, he added, harms the very confidence society needs to have in the justice system.
The Supreme Court judgement in 2018
On 19th April 2018, A Bench of then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud based its conclusion on three aspects: One, the “indisputable” written statements given by the four judges and colleagues of Judge Loya to the Maharashtra police; two, there is nothing wrong when friends and colleagues share the same room at the guest house, Ravi Bhawan; and three, Judge Loya had called his wife on 30th November, 2014, telling her he was staying at Ravi Bhawan.
The statements by the judges were made to the police, which launched a “discreet enquiry” in 2017 after articles appeared in a magazine raising suspicions about Judge Loya’s death in Nagpur in November 2014.
The verdict traces the journey of Judge Loya and his fellow judges to Nagpur to attend a wedding, their itinerary there and how they stayed in one room in Ravi Bhawan. Judge Loya, at the time of his death, was the CBI Special Judge hearing the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case in which BJP president Amit Shah was an accused. Amit Shah was discharged from the case by Judge Loya’s successor in office.
In the written judgment by Chandrachud, the court described the PILs as a “vituperative assault on the judiciary,” a misuse of public interest litigation that aimed more at sensationalising a death than at discovering the truth. The judges warned that such petitions could be driven by political motives and might unfairly scandalise judicial officers.
Chandrachud closed his interview with a direct appeal: people can and must hold courts to account, but they must not reduce judicial processes to political score-settling. Criticism is part of democratic life; vilifying judges personally is not. He urged citizens and lawyers alike to protect the credibility of the judiciary, because once public trust erodes, the whole rule-of-law framework suffers.
DY Chandrachud on Umar Khalid case
Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also made sharp observations on Umar Khalid in the same interview. While responding to a question on why activist Umar Khalid has not been granted bail for five years.
Chandrachud said the real problem lies in the mindset of some lawyers and political groups who want their cases heard only by certain judges. “This is the biggest threat to our system today,” he said, warning that if such practices are allowed, the entire justice delivery mechanism will collapse.
He compared the situation with other cases and pointed out the dangers of choosing “pro-industry” or “pro-labour” judges depending on convenience. Earlier, in February 2025, during an interview with journalist Barkha Dutt on her channel Mojo Story, Chandrachud had also touched upon Umar Khalid’s bail petition and the role of senior lawyer Kapil Sibal.
Without commenting on the merits of the case, the former CJI explained that repeated adjournments were a major reason behind the delays. Court records showed that Khalid’s legal team, led by Sibal, had sought at least seven adjournments before finally withdrawing the bail plea in February 2024, citing “a change in circumstances.”
He further said, “Bail matter, we wish to withdraw. There has been a change in circumstances, so we will try our luck in the trial court.” Chandrachud stressed that media narratives often ignore such details, creating a perception that courts are at fault, when in reality, repeated delays by the defence weaken the process.
A startling incident involving a 14-year-old student from Ramnagar of Uttarakhand gained significant attention on social media recently. In a video that has now surfaced online, two students wearing burqas were found exiting a computer coaching center in a scooter. An investigation uncovered that a Muslim student was escorting her Hindu classmate home while dressed in a burqa.
The family of the Hindu girl initially regarded it as a mere amateur act but the situation escalated when she failed to return home after school. The police conducted an inquiry after a complaint was lodged by the family and found that she frequently visited a Muslim student’s residence after school. It was also revealed that the minor had been in contact with an individual named Samad Ghazi.
The family members charged that their daughter was trapped and subjected to brainwashing. A medical assessment carried out by the police validated the occurrence of rape which only heightened the distress. Meanwhile, Hindu groups in the region have labelled it as a case of love jihad and voiced concerns about the potential involvement of a larger gang.
They asserted that incidents akin to those depicted in the Kerala Files are taking place in Ramanagara and if immediate probes are not initiated, a violent demonstration will ensue. Citing the MPHIC school as an example, the organizations indicated that 20-30 more cases could likely surface from there, necessitating an extensive high-level investigation.
The authorities have announced that a case has been filed under Section 140(3) of the CrPC against unidentified persons and efforts are ongoing to locate the suspects. They have assured the organizations that a thorough investigation will expose everything related to the matter. This case is presently generating apprehensions regarding the educational and social environment of the area.
Assam government has declared three days of state mourning following the untimely demise of renowned singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore. The state mourning will be from Saturday to Monday, 20th to 22nd September. During this period, there will be no official entertainment, dinners, or ceremonial functions.
An official statement by the Chief Secretary said, “The Government of Assam expresses deep shock and sorrow at the passing of Shri Zubeen Garg, eminent singer, filmmaker and cultural icon.”
The Government of Assam expresses deep shock and sorrow at the passing of Shri Zubeen Garg, eminent singer, filmmaker and cultural icon.
State mourning has been declared from 20th to 22nd September. During this period, there will be no official entertainment, dinners, or…
The statement added, “Seva Saptah programmes that involve ceremonial events or distribution of benefits are postponed as a mark of respect. However, service-oriented activities such as health camps, Nikshay Mitra support for TB patients, and plantation will continue.”
The 52-year-old heartthrob of Assam died in Singapore yesterday while swimming in the sea during a yacht tour. Earlier it was mistakenly reported the he died in a scuba diving incident.
Zubeen Garg is vising Singapore to attend the North East India Festival, which now has been called off. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the singer had gone on a yacht tour along with around 18 people. They stopped the vessel in the sea, and jumped into the water to swim. Zubeen was initially wearing a life jacket, but later took it off as it was not fitting properly. During the second swim without the jacket, he became motionless, and the yacht crew immediately rescued him.
He was administered CPR on the yacht and at the port after returning, but was not successful. He was then transferred to Singapore General Hospital and admitted to ICU. But as he was not responding, he was declared dead.
Singapore govt has conducted an autopsy, and handed over the mortal remains to Zubeen’s friends and colleagues accompanying him. The mortal remains are being flown to New Delhi, from where it will be transported to Guwahati by the special plane. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has reached Delhi to supervise the entire process.
Sharing an update:
I will be going to Delhi later today to receive our beloved Zubeen’s mortal remains from Singapore. From there we will immediately bring him back to Guwahati , hopefully by 6 am. pic.twitter.com/16Puubfd0T
Assam has lost its biggest cultural icon after Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, causing a spontaneous mourning across the state. Markets and shops in almost towns in the state were closed on Saturday as a mark of collective mourning. Yesterday and today, large number of people lit diyas in front of Zubeen’s portraits at public places in cities, towns and villages. Candlelight processions were also carried out.
The body of Zubeen Garg will reach Guwahati by early morning on Sunday, and will be taken to his residence in Guwahati’s Kahilipara. A large number of people are present at and around the house since yesterday. CM Sarma has requested people to allow the family, including Zubeen’s wife Garma and 85-year-old father, to have some private moments with the deceased for the last time.
After keeping at the residence for around an hour, the body will be taken to Sarusajai Stadium (Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex) in the city at 9 AM on Sunday for the whole day, where people will be able to pay their last respects to the singer-composer. Lakhs of people are expected to arrive in the Guwahati for the same.
The administration posted on X, “The Government of Assam, with deep sorrow, informs that the mortal remains of Shri Zubeen Garg, an artist larger than life, a cultural icon, filmmaker, and the eternal heartthrob of millions, will be kept at Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex (Sarusajai Stadium) tomorrow, September 21, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, for friends, followers, and admirers to pay their last respects.”
The Government of Assam, with deep sorrow, informs that the mortal remains of Shri Zubeen Garg, an artist larger than life, a cultural icon, filmmaker, and the eternal heartthrob of millions, will be kept at Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex (Sarusajai Stadium) tomorrow,…
Social media posts and media reports show that people have booked trains tickets and busses in large numbers to reach Guwahati. Even flight tickets to Guwahati are full. Singer Deeplina Deka, who has sung several songs with Zubeen Garga, yesterday said that she is in Mumbai currently and she had to book a flight with an 11-hour layover because all direct flights were booked.
The administration has made elaborate arrangements to handle this massive crowd. Trucks will not be allowed to enter city, and the truck parking areas at numerous warehouses on the Guwahati bypass, where the stadium is located, will be used to park the buses carrying the fans of Zubeen Garg.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that enough arrangement for toilers and drinking water will be made. People who want to stay longer at the spot will be able to rest at the nearby helipad, so that the stadium is not crowded and people paying last respects can enter and exit without much hurdle.
The administration has that the mortal remains will be kept at the stadium till 7 PM on Sunday. However, earlier CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that if there are demands to keep him longer, the government will agree. Therefore, the mortal remains can be kept at the stadium on Monday also. The date and place for the last rites have not been made yet. It will be decided after discussions with family, his close friends, and notable organisations of the state.
The selection of place will be important, as it will be turned into a memorial place for the beloved singer. A similar memorial was built for Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on a plot donated by Gauhati University, where he was cremated.
There are demands that the last rites should take place in Jorhat, the upper Assam town when Zubeen spent his school and college days. His musical journey also began from Jorhat. Some people have already identified a plot in the town near the national highway for the place of cremation and samadhi.
CM Sarma has said that a cabinet meeting will be held at 6 PM tomorrow to decide on the cremation venue of Zubeen Garg.
Tomorrow at 6 PM, a Cabinet meeting will be held to decide on the cremation venue of our beloved Zubeen Garg.
However, Zubeen spent his work life in Guwahati, during which period he recorded around 40,000 songs in 40 different languages and dialects. His family is also currently located in Guwahati, including his 85-year-old ailing father who may not able to make the road journey that takes around 7-8 hours. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that the cremation will take place in Guwahati.
The singer also has a house in Mumbai, where he had moved in hope of working in Bollywood movies. But after singing for few movies, including the ‘Ya Ali’ song, he moved back to Guwahati, saying that he didn’t like the attitude of the industry there.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is personally overseeing all the activities. He was campaigning for BTC elections on Saturday when the news was received, after which he and BJP cancelled all campaign activities and rushed to Guwahati. He has been communicating with Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, Singapore’s High Commissioner to India Simon Wong, and people who were accompanying Zubeen Garg in Singapore. Notably, Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, who is a former actor and a friend of Zubeen, was also in Singapore and coordinated in the process.
The state government cancelled the ongoing half-yearly examinations in the state on Saturday. The CM said that holiday will be declared for schools and colleges on the day of the cremation too.
