The atmosphere in Sonapur remained charged with emotion and devotion on Thursday as locals gathered near the proposed Zubeen Kshetra, the memorial site of late music legend Zubeen Garg, urging the authorities to keep politics away from the sacred project. Residents demanded that all encroached land around the cremation area be freed immediately to allow the smooth beginning of construction work.
Shouting slogans like “Joi Zubeen Da” and “No Politics in Zubeen Kshetra,” scores of residents assembled near the site to express both their love for Zubeen and their growing frustration over the delays surrounding the memorial’s progress. People from nearby villages joined hands, insisting that Zubeen’s memory should not be tainted by political involvement or administrative inaction.
Many locals expressed disappointment that despite repeated assurances, the project was yet to take full shape. They said the area should remain peaceful and dedicated solely to Zubeen’s memory. “We don’t want politics or power struggles here. Zubeen belonged to every Assamese heart. His memorial must be built with honesty, respect, and love,” said one local youth. 
A few residents alleged that some individuals were ignoring the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) laid down by the administration for the site. “There are certain rules for maintaining the sanctity of this place, but some are not following them. If such violations continue, the administration must take strict action. Otherwise, the public will intervene to protect the dignity of Zubeen Kshetra,” warned another villager.
Locals also raised concerns about inappropriate activities taking place near the cremation site. Several people urged authorities to curb alcohol and cannabis consumption in the area. “This is a sacred place. People come here to pay their respects, not to witness disrespectful behaviour. The administration must ensure that such activities are stopped immediately,” a senior resident said.
In a more serious turn, some residents claimed that a portion of land near the site had been encroached upon. “We have seen that land adjacent to the cremation ground has been occupied. We know that Minister Ashok Singhal has control over nearby land. We appeal to him to vacate it immediately and hand it back so that construction of Zubeen Kshetra can begin without obstacles,” a local leader alleged.
According to local estimates, more than 50 bighas of land will be required to fully develop the memorial. The villagers stated that the originally allotted land is too small to match the proposed design and the vision shared by Garima Saikia Garg, Zubeen’s wife. Many residents recalled that Garima had recently visited the site along with Zubeen’s sister Palmee Borthakur, architect teams, and several cultural personalities to assess the feasibility of the design. During that visit, locals had voluntarily offered to provide 30 to 40 bighas of additional land to support the project.
