‘Shallowness of Norway’s Journalism’, ‘Colonial Mindset’: Norway Newspaper’s PM Modi Cartoon Sparks Global Outrage

 

 

by Ashis Sinha
A Norwegian newspaper’s cartoon depicting PM Narendra Modi as a ‘snake charmer’ has triggered outrage in India, sparking debates over racism, colonial stereotypes, media ethics and diplomatic protocols.

A controversial cartoon published by Norway’s leading newspaper Aftenposten depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “snake charmer” has triggered sharp outrage in India, with diplomats, journalists and social media users accusing the publication of promoting racist and colonial-era stereotypes against the country and its leadership.

The illustration, drawn by renowned Norwegian visual artist Marvin Halleraker, accompanied an opinion piece whose headline roughly translates to “A clever yet annoying man.” The cartoon portrayed PM Modi holding a fuel-station pipe shaped like a snake — imagery many critics described as deeply offensive and reminiscent of outdated Western depictions of India.

The cartoon surfaced during PM Modi’s Norway visit and quickly snowballed into a wider debate on Western media’s portrayal of India and rising global powers.

Indians Call Cartoon ‘Racist’ and ‘Colonial’

The publication sparked immediate backlash across social media platforms, with many users alleging that the illustration reflected a lingering colonial mindset incapable of accepting India’s growing geopolitical and economic influence.

Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal criticised the cartoon in strong words, calling it “annoying” and reflective of shallow journalism.

“A rather annoying cartoon from a self-satisfied country of 5.6 million people with no historical or civilisational depth, or experience of handling complex and diverse societies,” he remarked, adding that the cartoon exposed “the shallowness of Norway’s journalism.”

Senior journalist Aditya Raj Kaul also slammed the depiction, calling it “shocking, racist and derogatory.” In a post on X, he said sections of the Western media were unable to “digest India’s rise and success.”

Social media users echoed similar sentiments, with many arguing that the “snake charmer” imagery belonged to a colonial past that stereotyped India as exotic, primitive and underdeveloped.

Interestingly, criticism of the cartoon also emerged from outside India. American commentator Carl Wheless termed the illustration “colonial-era racism dressed up as commentary,” arguing that such portrayals reveal discomfort in some Western circles over India’s emergence as a major global force.

Norwegian newspaper sparks controversy over ‘racist’ cartoon of PM Modi: ‘Internet calls it ‘colonial mindset’

READ: https://t.co/tB5qKZljCxhttps://t.co/tB5qKZljCx

— WION (@WIONews) May 20, 2026

Debate Over Western Media Bias Returns

The controversy has reignited a familiar debate over how sections of Western media portray India and non-Western leaders.

Critics argue that caricatures involving snake charmers, mysticism, poverty or backwardness reduce India to outdated stereotypes despite its rise as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and an increasingly influential diplomatic player.

Many users questioned whether similar racially loaded depictions of Western leaders would be tolerated in mainstream European publications.

Others defended the newspaper under the banner of free speech and political satire, arguing that cartoons have historically targeted leaders across the world. However, critics countered that satire loses legitimacy when it relies on racial or colonial imagery.

Row Erupts After Question Over Modi’s Press Appearance

The controversy erupted shortly after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng questioned why PM Modi did not take questions from reporters during a joint media appearance with his Norwegian counterpart.

The issue quickly gained traction online, with some international commentators suggesting the Indian side was avoiding media scrutiny.

However, diplomatic experts pointed out that the absence of media questions during bilateral appearances is neither unusual nor a violation of democratic norms. Such events are typically conducted under mutually agreed diplomatic formats.

How Diplomatic Media Events Usually Work

In international diplomacy, joint appearances between world leaders generally follow three standard formats:

1. Joint Statement or Photo Opportunity

• Leaders deliver prepared remarks.
• No media questions are taken.
• Common during sensitive negotiations or tightly managed state visits.

2. Joint Press Conference with Limited Questions

• A fixed number of journalists from participating countries are selected.
• Questions are usually pre-approved or coordinated.
• Frequently seen during major bilateral summits.

3. Open Media Interaction

• Journalists can ask spontaneous questions.
• More common in relatively open press environments.

Diplomatic observers note that governments often restrict unscripted questioning due to sensitive negotiations, security concerns, geopolitical tensions or efforts to avoid controversial flashpoints.

Similar tightly controlled appearances have also been seen involving leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and even former US President Donald Trump during certain official engagements.

Experts therefore argue that the absence of media questions is largely a matter of diplomatic format and political choice — not a binding international protocol.

Cartoon Row Expands Into Larger Narrative Battle

What began as a political cartoon controversy has now evolved into a wider argument over racism, media ethics, freedom of expression and global power dynamics.

For many Indians online, the issue is no longer just about one illustration, but about what they see as a recurring tendency among sections of Western media to view India through a dated colonial lens even as the country expands its global footprint.

The episode has once again highlighted the growing friction between rising non-Western powers and traditional Western media narratives in an increasingly multipolar world.