Information War Traps HBS: The 'Hus-Hus' Over Zubeen Garg's Death Weakens CM Sarma's Stature

GUWAHATI: The political climate in Assam has turned intensely volatile, not over a policy failure but the cultural aftermath of singer Zubeen Garg's untimely death. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (HBS), a leader known for his decisive style, now finds his administration ensnared in an 'information war' that, paradoxically, risks portraying him as a Chief Minister afraid of genuine Assamese sentiment.

The core of the crisis is a conflicting narrative—the "hus-hus" (whisper politics)—where the state's efforts to curb alleged online 'disinformation' are widely being interpreted as an attempt to 'silence' the grief and voice of the Assamese people.

The Contradictory Narratives: Control vs. Silencing

The government, via police action targeting 'fake fans' accused of spreading provocative content, asserts it is fighting disinformation to maintain peace. This official line is meeting stiff public resistance, which reads the crackdown as control of information aimed at shielding the truth and muffling local dissent.

The state’s attempts to differentiate between a 'real' fan and a 'fake' one exploiting Zubeen’s name is particularly problematic. In the highly emotional space surrounding the iconic singer—who represented the cultural heartbeat and political frustrations of Assam—this distinction alienates genuine admirers and is seen as cultural policing.

What the administration justifies as a necessary step to prevent disorder is being rapidly reinterpreted by society as the suppression of Assamese voices. This contradiction has trapped HBS in a dangerous paradox.

Political Cost for Himanta Biswa Sarma

HBS has meticulously built an image as a strong, fearless leader. Yet, the sight of police chasing young social media users projects an entirely different picture: one of a leader unsettled by whispers and uneasy with Assamese emotions.

Crucially, the government’s extension of police action into the cultural sphere—Zubeen's memory—risks eroding HBS's emotional legitimacy. In a contest over cultural grief, the state is perceived as fighting the Assamese heart itself, a battle no politician can win. The potent 'whisper politics' of Assam is now carrying a blunt message: "HBS fears our voices." This deep-seated perception is far more damaging than any formal opposition campaign.

Strategic Risks for the BJP in Assam

The handling of the post-Zubeen situation creates immediate political vulnerabilities for the ruling party:

Youth Alienation: Arrests targeting social media users estrange the young Assamese demographic, for whom online platforms are critical spaces for expression.

Opposition Amplification: Rivals and student unions are handed a powerful slogan: "BJP jails fans," directly contesting the party's claim to be the custodian of Assamese pride.

Projection of Weakness: The crisis undercuts the BJP’s narrative of strong, stable governance in the Northeast, casting the Chief Minister not as a protector of culture but as a leader anxious about public emotion.

The clash of narratives now defines the political 'hus-hus' in Assam. By trying to police the emotional storm around Zubeen Garg’s legacy, the government exposes its own vulnerability. Himanta Biswa Sarma—long projected as Assam’s strongest leader—now risks being cast as a weak Chief Minister, not for lack of power, but for appearing to be afraid of the Assamese heart.