India, Dec. 23 -- A political controversy has erupted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the memorial of Assam's most loved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, during his two-day visit to the state, triggering sharp reactions from opposition parties and civil society.

Prime Minister Modi visited Assam on December 20 and 21, during which he inaugurated the new terminal building of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, visited the newly built Swahid Smarak Kshetra, interacted with students during Pariksha Pe Charcha, and took part in a massive BJP roadshow.

However, despite a packed political schedule, Modi neither visited Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur nor mentioned Zubeen Garg even once in any of his speeches or public interactio...