Norwegian daily sparks outrage over ‘racist’ cartoon portraying PM Modi as snake charmer

A Norwegian newspaper has triggered widespread outrage after publishing a cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer, prompting accusations of racism and the reinforcement of long-standing colonial stereotypes about India.

The illustration, published by Norwegian daily Aftenposten on May 20, showed PM Modi holding what appeared to be a fuel-station pipe shaped like a snake. The cartoon accompanied an opinion article reportedly titled A clever and slightly annoying man.

The controversy erupted amid a parallel row over PM Modi’s press interaction during his state visit to Norway. Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng publicly questioned why the Indian Prime Minister did not take questions during a joint appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Although PM Modi did not respond at the event, the exchange later drew a sharp rebuttal from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, with diplomat Sibi George defending India’s democratic framework and press freedoms.

‘Blatantly racist’

The cartoon drew strong criticism online, with many calling it overtly racist and rooted in outdated Western stereotypes that historically portrayed India as a land of “snake charmers”.

“This cartoon is blatantly racist,” one user wrote on X, pointing to the irony that PM Modi himself has often spoken about how India was once stereotyped globally in the same way.

Others accused European media of clinging to colonial attitudes, with several users saying the image reflected “colonial arrogance” still prevalent in sections of the Western press.

A similar controversy erupted in 2022 when a Spanish newspaper used snake-charmer imagery while reporting on India’s economic rise.

PM Modi had notably addressed the stereotype during his 2014 speech at Madison Square Garden, saying India had moved from being seen as a nation of “snake charmers” to one of “mouse charmers”, referencing the country’s rise as a technology powerhouse.

Row over Norway press briefing

The diplomatic row began after Lyng questioned the absence of an open press conference during PM Modi’s Norway visit and raised concerns over press freedom and human rights in India.

After the interaction went viral online, Sibi George strongly defended India, saying critics often judged the country based on selective reports by “ignorant NGOs” without understanding its scale and democratic complexity.

“You know how many stories are up here in India. We have a lot of breaking news every day. At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone,” George said, stressing that India’s Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and legal remedies for all citizens.