On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the State would forbid Shyamkanu Mahanta and any affiliated organisations from hosting any festivals or events in Assam.
Zubeen Garg, an Assamese singer who was scheduled to perform at the NorthEast Festival in Singapore, passed unexpectedly less than a week ago.
Since 2013, Mr. Mahanta has been in charge of organising the North East India Festival.
On September 19, 2025, Garg passed away in Singapore while on a yacht vacation with 17 other people, including two staff members.
On the island, a non invasive autopsy determined that "drowning" was the cause of death. The following day, he was scheduled to play at the North East Festival.
Assam was rocked by Garg's unexpected death, and many people demanded an impartial investigation.
Following a request by admirers who believe Garg, who was suffering from poor health, was forced to swim in defiance of his doctors' warnings to keep him away from fire and water, the State Government opted to do a second autopsy after his remains were returned to India.
Garg was allegedly emotionally bullied into performing at the 4th North East India Festival in Singapore. Following his passing, the show was cancelled.
Furthermore, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma and festival principal organiser Mr. Mahanta were the targets of almost fifty first information reports.
The Crime Investigation Department was directed by the State government to combine all of the FIRs and look into the circumstances surrounding Garg's death.
Among other groups, the Assam Citizens' Forum has called for a panel of judges, solicitors, crime specialists, and former police officers to conduct an unbiased probe into Garg's killing.
"Any event that Mr. Mahanta is directly or indirectly affiliated with will not receive any financial support, sponsorship, or advertising from the State Government.
In his post on X today, Mr. Sarma added, "The State Government will also request that the Government of India not provide him with any sponsorship or financial assistance in any way."
