New Delhi: A political slugfest has emerged over the release of singer and actor Zubeen Garg’s last film, Roi Roi Binale which saw a pan-India release on 31 October.
Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi has asked why Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has not attended a screening of the film. Gogoi asked why Sarma, who gave leaves to state government employees to watch Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files (2022), is yet to watch Garg’s film.
The shows of the film started as early as 4:35 am in Assam, with 23 shows in Guwahati alone. Gogoi was addressing the media after paying tribute to the singer at a cinema hall in Bijay Nagar.
Sarma responded to Gogoi’s comments by assuring that he will watch the movie at Tezpur’s iconic Jonaki Hall soon. Sarma is currently in Lakhimpur for the inauguration of the BSc Nursing college and laying the foundation stone of a Super Speciality Hospital of Lakhimpur Medical College.
“If I go to watch the movie, the theatre will shut due to security concerns, and it will cause discomfort for the audience. That is why I will wait and watch it later,” said Sarma.
Also read: The final goodbye for Zubeen Garg. Tears, cheers, 4 am screenings of Roi Boi Binale
University over concert
Gogoi had earlier slammed Sarma-led state government for the delay in the progress of the investigation into Garg’s death. Instead of spending Rs 100 crore on organising the Guwahati concert of American rapper Post Malone, a Zubeen Garg university be set up in Assam, Gogoi demanded. On 30 October, Gogoi had asked that Bharat Ratna be conferred on Garg for his contribution to Assam’s cultural space.
Post Malone is scheduled to perform in Guwahati on 8 December, and the concert is part of Sarma’s ambitious plan to develop Assam into a ‘concert economy’ rivalling nearby Meghalaya and other states.
Sarma countered Gogoi’s statements by calling the young political leader a ‘lie-spewing machine’, adding that the concert will bring in money for the state.
All shows of Garg’s last film are sold out in Assam. People have turned up in large numbers not just to watch the film but also demand justice for the singer. His death has led to 7 arrests so far.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)