Islamic Cultural Centre slams Norway for conferring award on Modi
Oslo: The Islamic Cultural Centre in Norway has criticized the Norwegian government’s decision to confer the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it “a dark day for Norway’s human rights profile.”
According to Kashmir Media Service, the criticism was published in an article titled “ICC Responds to Modi Award: A Dark Day for Norway’s Human Rights Profile” in Norwegian newspaper Utrop on 6 July 2026.
The Centre argued that honouring Modi sends the wrong message and suggests that political and economic interests are being prioritized over human rights.
Citing research by the V-Dem Institute that classifies India as an “electoral autocracy,” the organization pointed to democratic backsliding and the growing influence of Hindu nationalist ideology within the Indian state.
It also highlighted reports by international rights groups documenting increased discrimination and pressure against religious minorities, journalists, academics, and civil society members in India and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Zamran of the Centre clarified that the criticism was directed at the Indian government’s human rights record, not at India or its people. He said Norway should have raised these concerns openly instead of giving a prestigious state award to the Indian Prime Minister.
