Popular Assamese playback singer Zubeen Garg draws flaks from the priests of Kamakhya temple for speaking against animal sacrifice rituals in the temple.

Following the report of Bollywood actor Govinda had offered a buffalo for sacrifice at Kamakhya temple, the singer became vocal against the animal sacrifice at the precinct of the temple. Lashing out the actor, Jubin strongly said that why should one sacrifice an animal at a temple? One should sacrifice oneself instead.

Jubin’s remark was enough to incite the locals of Kamakhya temple area including the priests of the temple. They demanded an apology from the actor for trying to defame the age-old tradition of the temple and strongly warned to him that if the singer failed to do so, he would be barred from visiting and entering the temple premises in future.

The singer said that he stopped eating the meat of duck as he had fallen in love with the animal rearing in his home. Instead of eating meat one can take fish which is plenty of number in the state.

Reacting strongly against his remark a temple priest said that they oppose the comment of the singer. It is not fair for him to comment on such sensitive issue of religion and faith. He should refrain from commenting on the age-old rituals of the temple. Devotees from different parts of the world come to Kamakhya temple to offer puja. Some of them offer sacrifice and some of them don’t. These they do as per the system of the temple. He has no right to comment on it.

However, the animal lovers have defended the singer. Every year, thousands of goats, pigeons and buffaloes are sacrificed at Kamakhya without any religious justification.Recently the singer had bought a buffalo and named it Zulu and he is planning to feature the animal in his upcoming movie.

Bollywood actor Govinda was in Guwahati on May 27 to attend the ‘Prag Cine Awards North-East’ 2018 event held at the GMCH auditorium.  He visited the Kamakhya temple on Sunday morning and offered his prayers to Goddess Kamakhya. The actor is a strong believer of Goddess Kamakhya and had already visited the holy shrine several times.

Ironically Govinda had even honoured the singer at the presentation ceremony. Jubin got best popular male actor award for the film Priyar Priyo and his movie Mission China also won the best popular film award at the same event.