A political controversy has erupted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped a memorial for Assam’s beloved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, during his recent two-day visit to the state. This omission has triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and civil society.
Modi’s visit to Assam on December 20 and 21 included inaugurating the new terminal building of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, touring the newly constructed Swahid Smarak Kshetra, engaging with students during the “Pariksha Pe Charcha” event, and participating in a significant BJP roadshow. However, despite a full agenda, he neither visited Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur nor mentioned Zubeen Garg in any of his speeches or public engagements. This was Modi’s first trip to Assam following Garg’s death, which had led to widespread public outrage and protests across the state demanding justice.
Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, criticized Modi, asserting that he was deliberately ignoring the “cultural soul” of Assam. Speaking to a gathering in Majuli, Gogoi noted, “Lakhs of Assamese people came out on the streets demanding justice for Zubeen da. The Prime Minister stayed in Assam for two days and attended several programs but could not spare a few minutes to visit Zubeen Kshetra. He had time for party events and roadshows, but not for a place that holds immense emotional value for the people of Assam.”
Akhil Gogoi, chief of Raijor Dal, echoed this sentiment, stating that Modi’s priorities were clear. “He came, handed over the airport to Adani, remembered martyrs selectively, discussed elections with BJP workers, and spoke to students about exams-but had no time for beloved Zubeen of Assam,” he remarked. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP), expressed disappointment, lamenting, “The Prime Minister visited Assam for the first time after Ishwar Zubeen Garg’s death. We hoped he would at least honor the artist who lives in the soul of Assam, but his silence hurts.”
The issue is exacerbated by a history of senior BJP leaders avoiding Zubeen’s memorial. For instance, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not visit Zubeen Kshetra or meet his family during her Guwahati visit on November 7.
In stark contrast, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, visited Zubeen Garg’s cremation site and residence in Guwahati on October 17, 2025. He paid his respects by offering a Gamusa, laying a wreath, lighting candles, and planting a nahor sapling at the cremation site. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also visited Jorhat on October 1, 2025, to meet Garg’s family and extend condolences on behalf of the Congress leadership.
International figures have also shown their respect for Zubeen Garg. Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck sent a special envoy to Guwahati to pay tribute, while a delegation from the Bangladesh government, led by Deputy High Commissioner Priti Rahman, visited Zubeen Kshetra in late October.
Yet, amid all this, Prime Minister Modi could not find the time to visit the memorial of Assam’s cultural conscience. This raises uncomfortable questions: Was Zubeen Garg overlooked due to his open criticism of the BJP, his self-identification as a socialist and his rebellious stance against the powerful, or is dissenting art simply intolerable in Modi’s India? For many in Assam, Modi’s silence appears intentional and political, exacerbating the perception that the BJP respects cultural expressions only when they conform to established power.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-asks-why-did-pm-modi-ignore-zubeen-gargs-memorial.html
Category: Assam,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-12-23 00:25:00
