PM Modi Cartoon Triggers Racism Debate As Norwegian Publication Draws Criticism

Anger grew in India and abroad after Norwegian daily Aftenposten ran a cartoon showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer, holding a fuel pump hose shaped like a snake, alongside an opinion piece titled "A clever and slightly annoying man", as debate already raged over media access during Narendra Modi's Norway visit.

The illustration appeared while questions were being raised about Narendra Modi's refusal to take queries from reporters during a joint event with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Critics said the drawing reinforced old Western stereotypes about India and accused the newspaper of using racist and colonial imagery against an elected leader.

Narendra Modi cartoon sparks racism row over 'snake charmer’ stereotype

Social media users described the Narendra Modi cartoon as offensive and discriminatory, arguing that depicting India’s Prime Minister as a snake charmer played into long-standing colonial images of India as a land of "snake charmers". Many users said the sketch was xenophobic and disrespectful to both the country and the office of the Prime Minister.

One user wrote on X, "This cartoon is blatantly racist," and highlighted what was seen as bitter irony. The user pointed out that Narendra Modi had often spoken about how India was once viewed abroad as a "land of snake charmers", yet was now represented exactly that way by a major Norwegian newspaper during a state visit.

Norway press row deepens outrage over Narendra Modi cartoon

The backlash over the Narendra Modi cartoon grew sharper because it followed a tense exchange at the joint appearance in Norway, where journalist Helle Lyng publicly asked why there was no open press conference. Lyng linked the lack of questions to concerns about press freedom and human rights in India, and recorded the moment on video.

Helle Lyng later posted the clip on X, where it was widely shared and prompted strong reactions across several countries. Both Narendra Modi and Jonas Gahr Store left the stage without replying to the question. The viral video then became tied to the discussion over the Aftenposten cartoon, further intensifying criticism of the newspaper.

Narendra Modi cartoon compared with past foreign media depictions

The Narendra Modi cartoon also reminded many observers of a similar incident in 2022, when a Spanish publication used snake-charmer imagery while reporting on India’s economic growth. Commentators argued that such portrayals showed how, despite India’s technology sector and economic expansion, parts of Western media still relied on outdated colonial frames.

Several users on X echoed this frustration. One account named Prady wrote, "Europeans still can't come out of their colonial fantasies, sigh". Others said the Narendra Modi cartoon reflected how "colonial arrogance still survives in the Western elite media", adding that these images ignored India’s modern identity and diverse, technology-driven society.

Indian diplomat defends democracy amid Narendra Modi cartoon criticism

As criticism over the Narendra Modi cartoon and the Norway briefing grew, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Sibi George gave a detailed defence of India’s political and media landscape. George argued that many foreign commentators formed views based on limited information and did not understand India’s sheer size, complexity, and diverse news environment.

George said, "You know how many stories are up here [in India]. We have a lot of breaking news coming every day in the evening. At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone, in English, Hindi and multiple languages. People have no understanding of the scale of India," adding that critics often relied on "some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs".

The senior diplomat also pointed to constitutional safeguards while the PM Modi cartoon row continued. George said India’s Constitution guaranteed fundamental rights to all citizens and allowed legal remedies when those rights were breached. Supporters of the government argued that these institutional protections sat uneasily with foreign coverage that, in their view, still turned to stereotypes such as the snake charmer image.