Assamese Singer Leaves Stage Midway Amid Objections to Hindi Songs

Organisers insisted that Zubeen Garg should only sing songs in Assamese, leading him to exit the stage in defiance.

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:

Noonmati bihu committee objects to Zubeen Garg's singing own Hindi songs. Zubeen leaves stage midway

— atanu bhuyan (@atanubhuyan) April 14, 2017

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.