The removal of a mural featuring Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg and the phrase ‘COMRADE NEVER DIE’ from beneath the Ganeshguri flyover in Guwahati has sparked widespread discussion and emotional responses across Assam.
The artwork, which had become a familiar sight for commuters and admirers of the singer, was recently removed by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC). The move has drawn criticism from sections of the public, some of whom viewed the mural as a symbolic tribute to Zubeen Garg’s contribution to Assam’s cultural landscape.
Amid the growing reactions, Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, shared her response in a Facebook post, expressing sadness over the development while highlighting what she described as the enduring emotional connection between the singer and his supporters.
In her post, Garima questioned whether the presence of Zubeen Garg’s portrait had negatively affected the city’s appearance and reflected on the decision to remove the mural. She wrote that although the artwork may have been erased from public view, emotional bonds and public affection could not be removed in the same way.
Referring to the response that followed the mural’s removal, Garima said she felt saddened by the development but did not harbour anger or resentment. She further wrote that people who value emotional connection and personal conviction would continue to preserve their admiration and attachment beyond physical representations.
She also described Zubeen Garg as someone who remains deeply rooted in the minds and emotions of people, adding that such connections endure regardless of visible symbols.
For many of the singer’s admirers, the mural had come to represent more than a piece of public artwork. Over the years, the phrase “COMRADE NEVER DIE” became a widely recognised expression associated with Zubeen Garg’s artistic legacy and cultural influence in Assam.
The removal of the mural has since generated extensive reactions on social media and among sections of the public. Many supporters have described the artwork as an expression of collective sentiment and cultural identity linked to one of Assam’s most prominent musical figures.
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