Norwegian newspaper cartoon depicts Modi as snake charmer amid press freedom row
Oslo: Amid a controversy during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway over concerns regarding press freedom in India, a cartoon portraying him as a snake charmer, which appeared in a leading Norwegian newspaper, has surfaced and gone viral on social media.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the cartoon was published by Aftenposten alongside a commentary piece just hours before PM Modi arrived in Oslo. The illustration later gained widespread attention following a heated exchange during one of Modi’s press engagements.
The cartoon accompanied an opinion article titled, when translated, “A clever yet annoying man.” The piece stated why India has its eyes on the Nordic region, while the illustration depicted Modi sitting cross-legged playing a flute before a fuel pump shaped like a snake emerging from a basket.
The development came as Modi concluded his Norway visit, where a question from a journalist triggered a response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and sparked extensive debate on social media and in Indian media circles.
The controversy was further fuelled after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng shared a video on X showing PM Modi walking out of a joint press event with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. In her post, she wrote that Modi did not take her question, adding she was not surprised by the outcome. In the video, she can be heard asking loudly: “Why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” Her post later intensified the debate, particularly after she questioned why Norway should “trust” India, referring to human rights concerns, a remark that prompted a response from India’s foreign ministry.
Foreign affairs experts say Modi government’s policies and hardline rhetoric have long faced criticism internationally, and that the latest episode has further amplified scrutiny. Analysts note that repeated allegations of restrictions on dissent and shrinking press freedom continue to impact India’s global image.
Experts further warn that politics driven by polarization and intolerance can push any country toward diplomatic isolation, adding that India is increasingly facing such criticism on the world stage.
