GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, July 10, clarified that the government did not order the removal of the mural that was believed to depict singer Zubeen Garg.
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Addressing the controversy, Sarma said the two painters who erased the artwork themselves decided to remove it after concluding that the image did not resemble Zubeen Garg. He added that both painters had given statements confirming this.
"The government did not remove the mural. I have statements from the two painters who erased it. They themselves said the image did not resemble Zubeen Garg, and that is why they removed it," Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also rejected claims circulating on social media about the identity of those involved. He said the two painters are Assamese, not Muslims as some had alleged, and that the contractor is also Assamese.
Sarma further stated that all three are ardent fans of Zubeen Garg and removed the mural solely because they felt it was not a proper likeness of the singer.