‘Colonial mindset’: Outrage after Norwegian newspaper depicts Modi as snake charmer

A Norwegian newspaper has come under sharp criticism for publishing a cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer during his official visit to Norway, triggering outrage online over what many described as racist and colonial-era stereotyping.

The illustration, published in Aftenposten, alongside an opinion piece by journalist Frank Rossavik titled ‘A Clever and Slightly Annoying Man’, showed Modi sitting cross-legged playing a flute before a fuel pump shaped like a snake emerging from a basket. The article reportedly discussed India’s growing economic engagement with the Nordic region.

Press freedom debate

The cartoon went viral amid an already heated debate surrounding Modi’s Norway visit, particularly after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen questioned the Prime Minister over press freedom in India and the absence of an open press conference during his joint appearance with Norway’s Prime Minister in Oslo.

Also read: An Indian PM hasn't been to Norway in 43 years; so why now?

Although the leaders did not respond to the question and left the venue, Lyng later posted the interaction online, where it sparked discussion.

The controversy also highlighted the contrast in global press freedom perceptions. Norway currently ranks first on the World Press Freedom Index, while India is placed 157th, a gap that shaped much of the international discussion surrounding press freedom, political criticism and media culture during Modi’s visit.

Racism allegations

The caricature drew strong backlash from Indian social media users, digital creators and political commentators, many of whom described the imagery as xenophobic and rooted in colonial stereotypes that historically portrayed India as an “exotic” and underdeveloped society.

Also read: The roaring controversy over Modi's press meet in Norway

“This cartoon is blatantly racist,” one user wrote on X, pointing to the irony that Modi himself has often spoken about India overcoming the outdated global image of being a “land of snake charmers”.

Another user remarked that “colonial arrogance still survives in Western elite media”, while several others argued that criticism of political leaders should not cross into racialised depictions targeting national identity.

While some European commentators defended the caricature as political satire protected under free speech traditions, critics argued that targeting an elected leader’s national identity through racialised imagery crossed the line from legitimate political commentary into structural racism.

Modi’s earlier remarks

The controversy also revived memories of a similar backlash in 2022 when a Spanish publication used snake-charmer imagery while discussing India’s economic rise.

Also read: Modi receives Norways's highest civilian award, highlights India's 'rapid transformation'

The symbolism carries particular sensitivity because Modi has repeatedly referenced the stereotype in international speeches. During his 2014 Madison Square Garden address in the United States, he said India had transformed from a country once associated with “snake charmers” into a nation of “mouse charmers” driven by technology and innovation.

India’s response

The row intensified further after Ministry of External Affairs responded to criticism raised during the Oslo briefing. Senior diplomat Sibi George defended India’s democratic institutions and accused some foreign critics of forming opinions based on selective NGO reports without understanding the scale and complexity of India’s media landscape.

Also read: Who is Helle Lyng? Norwegian journalist faces scrutiny after questioning PM Modi

Modi’s Norway trip was historically significant as it marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in four decades.