Guwahati, Oct 12: At the cremation site of late singer Zubeen Garg, a young man publicly renounced caste and religion, tearing off his lagun—a sacred thread traditionally worn by Brahmins—and declaring that he would live “only as a human.”
Sun Bhagawati, a man in his early thirties, said he was inspired by Garg’s ideals of humanism and unity. “By birth, my caste is Brahmin. But I have no caste, no religion. We must live as humans,” Bhagawati told reporters, pulling the thread from beneath his shirt and ripping it before cameras.
“Jai Zubeen Da! I will never wear it again,” he said, throwing the torn thread into a dustbin. “People should live as humans only, not as Hindu or Muslim.”
The act was seen by many as a symbolic tribute to Garg, who had often rejected social hierarchies and religious divisions. Born Jibon Borthakur into a Brahmin family, the beloved Assamese singer had publicly declared that he had “no religion or caste.” Garg had even joked in interviews that he once tore his lagun to use it as a rope for tying a mosquito net.
Explaining his decision, Bhagawati said he was disturbed by rising communal debates. “In the last few years, I have been seeing only Hindu-Muslim talks on social media,” he said. “Within the Hindu religion, there are so many divisions. If you are a Shudra, I cannot eat from your hand. I don’t want to live by such thousands of rules. That is why I finished everything here, in front of Zubeen Da.”
He added that he would not pass on caste traditions to his child. “I have a six-year-old son. I will never give the sacred thread to him. All must learn how to live like humans. Humanism is above everything. We must contribute to nation-building through education, not through religion,” he said softly, concluding, “Zubeen Da has gone—let him live peacefully wherever he is.”
The video of Bhagawati’s act has since gone viral, with many praising his message of equality and compassion. However, it has also drawn criticism from some quarters.
Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika condemned the incident, calling it “against our sanatan tradition.” “The investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death is progressing efficiently, but I strongly oppose anyone publicly tearing his sacred thread before cameras,” Hazarika said. “Zubeen Da wanted a society where everyone lived together happily. I urge people not to send a negative message to society through such acts.”
While reactions remain divided, the gesture has reignited debate over caste, faith, and identity—issues that Garg himself often questioned through his songs and life, leaving behind not only music but also a message that continues to stir hearts across Assam.
