Assam – Singer-songwriter Rito Riba on Friday cancelled his scheduled performance at the Mising Youth Festival 2026 at Kareng Sapori near Bogibeel, alleging unprofessional conduct and disrespect by the organisers. The cancellation on January 30 marked the first time the artist has withdrawn from a show.
Riba, who rose to national fame through Indian Idol, said he and his band travelled nearly 12 hours to reach the venue but were denied basic arrangements and a sound check. In a statement on Instagram, he claimed the team was kept waiting from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. the following day without a proper green room or facilities. “Just one hour for our band’s sound check was all we asked, which is always a top priority for any performance,” he wrote.
The singer alleged that members of the organising team made degrading remarks and openly prioritised dignitaries over the performance. Among the comments he cited were: “It does not matter to us whether he sings or not” and “We only want dignitaries.” He added that one remark suggested he could be sent to “a local stall to drink” and that he would be allowed to perform only after dignitaries had left.
“These statements clearly demonstrate a complete lack of respect for artists, their profession, and their creative work,” Riba said, describing the incident as unprecedented in his career. He emphasised that the decision to cancel was taken to protect his team’s dignity and self-respect, despite having prepared special performances for the festival.
Apologising to fans, Riba announced that all performance fees would be returned, excluding travel and band expenses. “I will not take any personal fee after the humiliation faced,” he said, adding that organisers could contact his management for clarifications.
The singer stressed that the episode highlighted the need for basic professional standards and respectful treatment of artists at cultural events. “It is particularly painful when such conduct comes from people we consider our own, our extended clan,” he said.
