Guwahati, March 29: The 23 Bihu committees under the Brihattar Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani Samannayrakshi Samiti have decided to boycott singer Zubeen Garg from their functions to protest against the singer's alleged derogatory remarks.

In an event at Chandmari on Sunday evening, Zubeen reportedly said he would undo the dhoti of anyone who asks him to wear the tradition garment while performing at Bihu functions.

Some of the committees under the Samiti have been organising Bihu functions for decades.

Last evening, the Samiti held a meeting in Chandmari and decided not to invite Zubeen to their functions this year. They said Zubeen's comments were an insult to the people of Assam and the singer should issue an apology.

"The dhoti is a traditional dress of Assam. Ahom kings use to wear them. It is worn by people like xatradhikars or during occasions like weddings. Zubeen's comment is an insult to the people of the state," said Ranjan Bora, president of the Samiti.

Earlier, the Samiti had come out with a set of guidelines for Bihu function organisers. Some of the stipulations included wrapping up cultural programmes by midnight, not organising functions after the month of Bohag and requesting artistes to wear traditional attire while performing.

Later, the word traditional was replaced with the word "decent".

A few years ago, the Samiti had also decided not to pay an artiste over Rs 60,000 for his/her performance at a Bihu function. These instructions triggered resentment among some artistes, including Zubeen.