GUWAHATI: Singer Manas Robin said he was not the ‘two-faced artist’ referred to by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference on the Zubeen Garg death case.
Robin said social media users and some news outlets had identified him as the artist mentioned by the chief minister. He said an established media outlet had published his name, citing special sources, and expressed anger over the reports.
He said he had approached the Special Investigation Team to file his complaint in connection with Garg’s death, but had not been called before a court so far. Therefore, there was no question of him making one statement before the SIT and another before a court, he said.
Robin also questioned several remarks by Sarma on the case. He said a judicial decision on an incident that took place in Singapore should not rest on what 165 or more witnesses in Assam had said. Statements of witnesses who were present in Singapore at the time should carry greater weight, he said.
He asked whether a comment by one artist that Garg was at fault could weaken the case and what effect an opposing comment by another artist would have. He said the chief minister should give a clear answer.
Robin said Garg’s name should not be used in the ongoing political debate and exchange of statements over his death. He appealed for unity to seek justice for Garg and called for a public meeting at the Khanapara playground on November 22. However, he said permission from the administration had not yet been granted.
