‘Artiste trying to take Zubeen’s place’: Himanta Biswa Sarma’s veiled swipe at Ravi Sarma over Dighalipukhuri row

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 21 took a subtle dig at noted Assamese actor Ravi Sarma amid the ongoing controversy over alleged tree cutting at Dighalipukhuri, Guwahati. 

Responding to remarks made by the actor, the Chief Minister said, “An artiste is trying to make such comments with the intent of taking Zubeen’s place. But that’s not how we do it.”

Rejecting the allegations outright, Sarma clarified that not a single tree has been cut around Dighalipukhuri. He recalled that he had personally assured late singer Zubeen Garg during his lifetime that the trees surrounding the historic pond would be preserved. “No trees have fallen. Every plant stands as it is. These are false interpretations and baseless rumours,” the Chief Minister added.

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Sarma further assured the media that the government would soon organise a visit for journalists to inspect the area themselves and verify the claims.

Echoing the Chief Minister’s statement, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika also countered the allegations made by the actor. In a social media post, Hazarika wrote, “Ravi Sharma dangoriya, someone has misled you. The claim that trees were cut down at Dighalipukhuri after the death of our beloved artist Zubeen da is completely false. I want to clarify that not a single tree along the Dighalipukhuri banks has been cut, nor was there ever any proposal to do so. This allegation is entirely false and baseless.”

The statements from the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleague come amid growing social media discussions over the preservation of Dighalipukhuri, a site that holds deep emotional significance for fans of Zubeen Garg following the singer’s passing.