# CM joins blood drive as Assam marks Zubeen Garg’s first death anniversary

2026-09-20T00:22:13+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma donated blood at the BJP headquarters in Guwahati on Saturday as part of a statewide drive to mark the first death anniversary of singer Zubeen Garg. Sarma said around 3,800 people had registered to donate across Assam, with blood collected from about 1,000 donors so far. Meanwhile, thousands gathered at Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur for the third and final day of 'Zubeen Divas'. Around 2,600 students performed Garg's song 'Diya Ghurai Diya' at a Guwahati school, where his wife Garima Saikia Garg joined the tribute. The All Assam Students' Union paid floral tributes and demanded swift justice in connection with Garg's death, saying people were watching the court proceedings closely.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Assamese daily's coverage emphasises Chief Minister Sarma's blood donation and the political framing of 'Zubeen Divas', while the photo-led outlet focuses on student tributes and the cultural mood. A crucial divergence emerges on the justice demand: only the Assamese daily reports AASU leaders stating faith in the judiciary but also warning that 'people do not wish to wait much longer', a detail absent from the Rediff account. Neither source underplays the singer's popularity, but the Assamese daily's second report provides the grassroots grief alongside unresolved demand, offering a fuller picture of public sentiment. The trial proceedings remain the key concrete date to follow.

## Coverage

- assamtribune.com (neutral report) <https://assamtribune.com/assam/remember-zubeen-through-service-assam-cm-joins-bjps-statewide-blood-drive-1617883>
  Reports thousands at memorial and explicitly includes AASU's demand for justice in Garg's death, highlighting unresolved grief
- rediff.com (neutral report) <https://www.rediff.com/news/report/one-year-on-assam-remembers-zubeen-garg/20260919.htm>
  Focuses on cultural tributes and student performances with no political angle or justice demand
- assamtribune.com (neutral report) <https://assamtribune.com/assam/zubeen-divas-enters-final-day-as-thousands-gather-at-sonapur-memorial-1617868>
  Reports thousands at memorial and explicitly includes AASU's demand for justice in Garg's death, highlighting unresolved grief

Tags: Assam, BJP, Garima Saikia Garg, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Zubeen Garg, Zubeen Kshetra
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