I’m going off, thank you so much – but I love you. Let’s go. It’s finished.Zubeen Garg, Musician
These were the last words uttered by Assamese musician Zubeen Garg on Friday evening as he left from a live concert performance at Noonmati in Guwahati, Assam.
While he sang a self-composed Hindi song on the occasion of Rongali Bihu, which marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year, organisers – the Noonmati Bihu Committee – objected to the recital as they insisted he should only sing songs in Assamese.
Commotion ensued as a crowd of organisers and police officials took to the stage. Garg, objecting to the interference in his performance, spoke directly to the crowd on a microphone, and said, "You cannot dictate me."
Atanu Bhuyan, editor-in-chief of a local daily, Assam Talks, tweeted:
Although the singer decided to leave the stage midway, his Facebook page is now overflowing with support from his fans.
Garg has not commented any further on the matter.
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