Guwahati, Feb 27 (NationPress) Lurinjyoti Gogoi, the president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), expressed his support on Friday for the Assam government's initiative to expedite court proceedings in the case concerning the renowned Assamese vocalist Zubeen Garg. However, he raised concerns about potential political motives that could complicate the investigation.

In an interview with IANS, Gogoi referred to Zubeen Garg as the “soul of Assam,” emphasizing that various groups and members of the community have been advocating for justice since the outset of the case.

He accused the incident of being a “deliberate murder” and asserted that, despite its gravity, there are ongoing attempts to distract from the core issues and sow confusion.

“The quest for justice for Zubeen Garg is longstanding. From the very beginning, we have maintained that this is not a trivial matter but rather a calculated murder. While fast-track court proceedings are essential, it is crucial that justice be administered fairly and transparently,” Gogoi stated.

The AJP leader further criticized the BJP-led state administration, claiming it is attempting to politicize the matter.

He noted that Zubeen Garg had frequently spoken out against what he termed “oppressive politics,” suggesting this could be a factor influencing the current situation regarding the case.

“Zubeen Garg has consistently voiced his opposition to oppressive and authoritarian political practices. This may be unsettling for those in power, which leads us to fear that the investigation is being politicized rather than approached solely from a justice standpoint,” Gogoi added.

He further condemned the state government, accusing the BJP of turning welfare initiatives into political tools.

“Welfare programs are designed for the public good, not for political promotion. Regrettably, the ruling party is transforming these initiatives into political spectacles instead of treating them as genuine public service efforts,” he remarked.

On Thursday, the Assam Cabinet resolved to approach the Gauhati High Court to establish a fast-track court aimed at ensuring a swift trial in the Zubeen Garg case, citing widespread public sentiment and the urgency for timely justice.

Previously, the state government had assembled a Special Investigation Team (SIT) which has filed murder charges against festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma, and two band members, Amritprabha Mahanta and Sekharjyoti Goswami, all of whom are currently incarcerated in various jails across the state.