I didn't think I'd be writing another piece on assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg after my obituary post few days back. But the turn of events since then was such that like others, it too compelled me to wonder as to what really happened with him. Because, his death was certainly untimely to say the least. And, like Sridevi's death that happened outside the country under mysterious circumstances that till today remains unsolved ( it was cited as drownng too in a bathtub while she being ironically taller than that tub ), this death too of Zubeen Garg is shrouded in mystery. But unlike her death, there have been several videos doing the rounds of that particular day that ultimately led to Zubeen's death, particularly of that yacht outing in Singapore, of Sept'19.
Videos of him first taking the plunge with a life jacket in the seas; then, came a video where he refused to wear the jacket twice saying he didn't like it; and lastly, a video where he swam without the life-jacket until he went lifeless. While these videos record what happened the entire time till his death, it is unclear what he consumed before swimming. He is said to be quite drunk at the moment and swimming without a jife-jecket meant it was hard for him to swim, although, he is known to be a good swimmer. But if one is drunk, it can hardly be advised to attempt swimming in such condition. And, he had epilepsy as well. Was it a conspiracy to let him swim in that inebriated state and endanger his life?
Many are pointing to his manager Siddharth Sarma and others ( Northeast India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Sanjive Naraine and assistant Shekhar Jyoti Goswami etc ) for outright negligence and carelessness; and even for mismanaging his funds ( especially by his manager who is rumoured to have siphoned off the singer's royalty earned from various online platforms - one doesn't know however if the late singer had knowledge or consent for it ). Multiple FIRs have been filed on them and demands have risen for arrests of the probable culprits for the sheer negligence or maybe even intentional culpable homicide. Especially, after the funeral, these voices have reached newer heights inspite of a request by Zubeen Garg's wife to withdraw the FIRs against the manager ( was she coerced? ). If the cases are followed through, maybe, we will get the answers; or maybe not, if such influencial people are involved which would be quite unfortunate. Meanwhile, a second autopsy was done due to enormous public demand just hours before the pyre was lit.
Whatever the outcome may be, I have certain questions myself. Zubeen Garg was almost 53 years of age and was aware of his ilness, right? So, why did he allow himself to be gullible and led to such a situation in the first place? He was an adult and not a child that he could be manipulated by others. Or, does it happen, that the more famous you are; more vulnerable you become? You are surrounded by others who takes charge of your life, and you slowly lose control of yourself. You feel pampered and looked after ( living like a 'king' as he used to say ), and start trusting others with your life and money and become quite oblivious to what might be happening behind your back; what their motives could be. You don't know who might be making what sinister plans against you, particularly when money is involved and stakes are high. You start living in a larger-than-life fantasy bubble you've created for yourself, ignorant as to how malicious the outside world can be, especially, those operating outside that bubble. You've handed over your personal phone and belongings that has all your sensitive details like bank accounts etc to a complete stranger. Yes, they might have worked for you couple of years, but, they are still 'strangers' at the end of the day. Sometimes when even 'close' blood relatives are so dangerous and poses threat, what is the guarantee of a stranger. The manager is said to suddenly own 3 crore worth bottling company, and 15 crore worth premium hotel and other riches like expensive cars, multiple real estate assets etc which adds to the suspicion even more. Is that why Zubeen Garg was kept in a semi-drunk state always, and his epilepsy too started around 2017-18 and was not a childhood condition. Was it an outcome of what was happening around him?
Questions, questions and more questions, sigh! But, Zubeen Garg will never come back no matter what. And that is the only truth. Zubeen's ashes would be made available for institutions and even individuals who would want to preserve his memory. However, I feel one should adhere to the singer's wishes of his ashes being immersed in the Brahmaputra.
( Images - Pratidin & ©Mine! )
