GUWAHATI: Guwahati Central BJP MLA Vijay Kumar Gupta faced criticism on social media after making several factually incorrect remarks about late singer Zubeen Garg during a Zubeen Diwas tribute event at Fancy Bazar in Guwahati on Saturday, September 19.
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As Assam observed the first death anniversary of its beloved singer, Gupta’s remarks drew criticism from several quarters, including singer Simanta Shekhar and AASU president Utpal Sarma.
Speaking at the event, Gupta said that Zubeen Garg had sung more than 3,000 songs in 40 Indian languages.
“Although Zubeen-da is no longer with us today, his songs, sung in 40 Indian languages, numbering over 3,000, continue to resonate with us,” Gupta said.
However, Zubeen Garg’s musical contribution is widely reported to extend to more than 30,000 songs, making Gupta’s figure of 3,000 inaccurate.
Gupta also referred to Zubeen Garg’s debut album as “W”. However, Anamika, released in 1992, is widely recognised as Zubeen Garg’s debut Assamese album.
In another error, Gupta referred to Zubeen Garg’s popular 2017 film Mission China as China Mission.
“Zubeen even made a film, China Mission,” Gupta said.
Gupta further claimed that Zubeen Garg changed his name at the age of 19 in honour of renowned music conductor Zubin Mehta.
“Out of respect for the great music director born in Bombay, Zubin Mehta- who worked across many countries like Los Angeles, Vienna, and Israel- he changed his name to Zubeen Garg. Very few people know that he changed his name in honour of Zubin Mehta,” Gupta said.
While Zubeen Garg’s name was indeed inspired by Zubin Mehta, available biographical accounts identify his birth name as Jibon Borthakur.
The claim that he changed his name specifically at the age of 19 is not supported by established biographical records.
And Zubin Mehta is a world-renowned Indian conductor of western classical music, not merely a Bollywood music director as Gupta said
Reacting to Gupta’s remarks, singer Simanta Shekhar urged the MLA to learn more about Zubeen Garg before speaking about him publicly.
“First study well about Zubeen Garg, understand his music, contribution and position in Assam society and culture. Then comment in front of the media. At least while speaking about Zubeen Garg, be respectful,” Shekhar said.
AASU president Utpal Sarma also criticised Gupta while speaking to the media.
“Who is Vijay Gupta? What is his position? What is his contribution to Assamese society? He is worse than a fallen leaf. In the context of our heartthrob Zubeen Garg, I warn Vijay Gupta not to talk rubbish,” Sarma said.
Following the backlash, Gupta later apologised through a Facebook post.
“I should have said more than 30,000 but mistakenly said more than 3,000,” Gupta wrote, expressing regret over the error.