‘Yes that was my voice’: Singer Zubeen Garg writes strong post after being booked for ‘insulting’ Bharat Ratna in controversial audio clip

Zubeen Garg has confirmed that the voice in a viral audio clip that used ‘insulting’ words against Bharat Ratna, highest civilian honour awarded in the country, is his, in a strong post on Instagram. The singer’s reaction comes after he was booked for the comments. 

Zubeen’s comments had come in the wake of legendary singer-musician from Assam, Bhupen Hazarika, being honoured with the prestigious Bharat Ratna honour last week.

READ: Bhupen Hazarika's Songs And Music Are Admired Across Generations: PM Modi Waxes Lyrical As India's Maestro Is Conferred With Bharat Ratna

The singer, who is known for the chartbuster ‘Ya Ali’ from 'Gangster', among other hits, asserted that the voice was indeed his and that he has the courage to accept it. He stated that Hazarika should have got the honour when he was alive 10 years ago and called the decision to honour him ‘politically motivated’. 

Zubeen asked if the honour was a way to ‘suppress the Citizenship Amendment Bill.’ Calling himself a ‘tiger’, he stressed that is ‘ready to talk’ and willing to leave Assam if people hate him. 

Here's the post:

 Zubeen earlier this month had written to Assam Chief Minister  Sarbananda Sonowal on January 8 threatening to launch an agitation if the controversial bill isn’t scrapped. 

READ: 'Can I Get The Votes Back That You Earned Using My Voice In 2016?': Singer Zubeen Garg Writes Open Letter To Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal Over Citizenship Bill

A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against Zubeen at Lanka Police Station in Hojai district of Assam on Saturday by  Satya Ranjan Borah, State Vice President of the BJP, Kisan Morcha, Assam. 

Borah wrote in a Facebook post, “I don’t have any personal problem with Zubeen Garg, but the way he has been behaving cannot be accepted for a healthy and cultured Assamese society.” 

He added that the FIR has been lodged for “defaming, disrespecting and insulting nation’s highest recognition the Bharat Ratna and defaming and insulting voice and pride of Assam late Bhupen Hazarika accordingly with some unparliamentary and anti-social words.” 

According to reports, another case was registered against Zubeen by a Guwahati resident.