Guwahati: Singer Zubeen Garg raked up a controversy on Tuesday with his comments against the tradition of animal sacrifice at the Kamakhya temple here.

Zubeen made the comment on Monday night while performing in a Bihu programme, organised by Friends Club of Kamakhya area here.

The singer made the comment after Bollywood actor Govinda visited the temple. Sources in the temple management committee said Govinda had visited the temple and offered prayers to Goddess Kamakhya on Sunday morning. News spread that the actor had sacrificed a buffalo, which was later rubbished by the temple management committee.

On Monday, Zubeen said, "I don't like animal sacrifice in the name of religion. I love animals very much. I am a Brahmin by religion but I don't believe in such rituals."

On Tuesday, organisers of the Bihu programme criticised Zubeen over the comment and sought an apology. "We will boycott him if he does not apologise," the club said.

"In Kamakhya temple, animal sacrifice has been running since its inception. Therefore, Zubeen's comment has hurt all sections of society and our custom. Moreover, he also commented against Brahmins. In Kamakhya, around 70 per cent population are Brahmins, so it hurt us," Ritwik Sarma, a member of the organising committee and resident of Kamkhya temple area, said.

The temple's priests asked the singer on electronic media to study the history of animal sacrifice in Kamakhya temple.

After the controversy surfaced, Zubeen said on Tuesday, "It was my personal view. Personally, I do not believe and support animal sacrifice in the name of religion. This should stop."