‘Cheap Publicity’: Guwahati Student Slammed For Abusing Assamese Mourning Zubeen Garg’s Death

Shivangi Bhattacherjee, a student of Gauhati University, sparked outrage for insulting Assamese people for mourning the death of Zubeen Garg. (Instagram)

A student of Gauhati University has sparked widespread outrage after she posted a video on social media, in which she apparently insulted Assamese people for mourning the death of singer Zubeen Garg by shutting shops.

Zubeen Garg, a renowned singer from Assam, tragically died while scuba diving in Singapore, plunging the state into grief. Thousands of fans and well-wishers gathered at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex (Sarusajai Stadium) in Guwahati to pay their final respects to the icon.

However, Shivangi Bhattacherjee, a student of Gauhati University and originally from Bengaluru, went viral on social media for abusing and insulting people for publicly mourning Garg, describing them as “uneducated” and “stupid”. She said she would sever all ties with people mourning Garg’s death, as it was “embarrassing” for her.

“Focus on your work and do something in life,” she said, while questioning the people’s public displays of grief. She also abused people for shutting local businesses during the mourning period, saying, “You look like idiots.”

The Assam government had declared three days of state mourning as a mark of respect for Garg. All official entertainment events, dinners, and ceremonial events have been cancelled during the mourning period.

Bhattacherjee’s remarks were received with widespread fury and criticism, with people demanding legal action against her for insulting Assamese people. “Lack of Emotional Intelligence. A Legend should always be respected,” a user said, while another user called for her expulsion from the university and her arrest.

“Calls Assamese as illiterate, stupid. This ‘trend’ of doing anything for publicity should come with a good cost,” another user commented. “Using Zubeen Garg’s death for cheap publicity? Shivangi Bhattacharjee’s vile words against Assamese people are unacceptable. Assam demands accountability,” an individual posted.

A complaint was reportedly filed against her by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyartha Parishad (ABVP) for making “abusive and derogatory” remarks by mocking the mourning of Assamese people over the demise of Zubeen Garg.

On Sunday morning, Zubeen’s mortal remains were transported from Guwahati airport to his home in Kahilipara. Thousands of mourners lined the streets to catch a last glimpse of the singer, showering flowers as the ambulance passed. His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, accompanied the body, which exited the airport via the VIP route.