Daijiworld Media Network - Oslo

Oslo, May 19: A cartoon published by leading Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway has triggered controversy on social media, with several users accusing the publication of promoting racist stereotypes about India.

The cartoon, published alongside an opinion article shortly before Modi arrived in Oslo, depicted the Indian prime minister as a “snake charmer” using a fuel-station pipe shaped like a snake.

The accompanying article reportedly carried a headline translating to “A clever yet annoying man” and discussed India’s growing interest in the Nordic region.

The illustration quickly went viral online amid an ongoing controversy over press freedom discussions during Modi’s Norway visit.

Several social media users criticised the cartoon for reviving what they described as an outdated and xenophobic Western stereotype portraying India as a land of snake charmers, superstition and exotic imagery.

The “snake charmer” motif has long faced criticism for being racially insensitive and reductive toward Indian identity.

Similar controversies have surfaced in the past. In 2022, Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia faced backlash after using a snake-charmer illustration while discussing India’s economic growth.

Modi himself has previously referred to such stereotypes during speeches abroad. During a 2014 visit to the United States, he remarked that India had moved from being known for “snake charmers” to “mouse charmers”, referring to the rise of technology and computer innovation.

He had made similar comments earlier in 2013 while addressing a youth convention in Gandhinagar as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The controversy over the cartoon coincided with tensions during Modi’s Norway visit after journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen questioned the Indian prime minister regarding press freedom.

Svendsen later shared a video on X showing Modi leaving after a joint statement with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, claiming he did not take questions from the media.

In the video, the journalist could be heard asking, “Why don't you take some questions from the freest press in the world?”

Norway currently ranks first on the global press freedom index, while India recently slipped from rank 154 to 157.

The issue later spilled into a press briefing by India’s Ministry of External Affairs after Svendsen questioned why Norway should “trust” India amid allegations of human rights violations.

Responding to the remarks, senior Indian diplomat Sibi George defended India’s democratic credentials, constitutional values and global standing, stating that India remained a trusted international partner due to its civilisational history and contributions to the world.