Assam mourns Zubeen Garg: Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit join state shutdown in tribute

Guwahati: The state of Assam observed a complete shutdown over the weekend following the sudden death of legendary singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg. He passed away at the age of 52 on Friday during a scuba diving activity in Singapore.

In an extraordinary move rarely seen during periods of mourning, even online food delivery and quick commerce platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit suspended their operations across the state as a mark of respect.

Users attempting to place orders were met with messages such as, “Sorry! Restaurants aren’t accepting orders at the moment” (Swiggy), “Please check back in a while” (Zomato), and “Currently unavailable” (Blinkit).

The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, declared a three-day state mourning from September 20 to 22. All official entertainment, ceremonial programmes, and public celebrations were suspended. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed the move in a post on social media, stating, “In loving memory of Assam's eternal voice, Zubeen Garg. As a mark of respect, HCM Dr @himantabiswa has directed that State Mourning be declared from 20th to 22nd September 2025. During this period, all official entertainment, ceremonial programs and public celebrations will be in abeyance.”

The CMO further added, "Assam Government stands in solidarity with the people in mourning beloved Zubeen. His legacy will forever resonate in our hearts. Essential service activities under 'Sewa Saptah' will continue, while ceremonial or benefit-distribution events stand postponed."

Shutters of local shops remained down on Saturday. Only essential establishments, such as a few medical shops, stayed open.

The emotional gravity of the loss was further reflected in the massive outpouring of the public on Sunday morning, when Zubeen’s body arrived at Guwahati airport and began its final journey home to Kahilipara. Thousands lined the roads in an emotionally charged atmosphere, showering flowers on the ambulance carrying his mortal remains.

His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, accompanied the body in the ambulance, which exited the airport via the VIP gate.

Zubeen’s body was first taken to his Kahilipara residence, where it remained for around ninety minutes to allow close family, including his 85-year-old ailing father, to pay their final respects. Later, the body was moved to the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, where members of the public could offer their tributes until 7 pm.

Zubeen Garg’s passing has left an irreplaceable void in Assam’s cultural landscape. Known for his immense contribution to music, cinema, and social causes, his voice had become synonymous with Assamese identity. Over the past two decades, he had emerged not only as a beloved singer but also as a unifying figure across generations.

(With agency inputs)