‘Colonial mindset’: Norwegian newspaper publishes cartoon of PM Modi as snake charmer, calls him ‘a cunning and slightly irritating man’; triggers massive backlash

A major controversy has erupted over a cartoon of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi published by a Norwegian newspaper on Wednesday. The illustration portrayed PM Modi as a snake charmer, triggering sharp criticism on social media and reigniting debate over how India is depicted in sections of the Western media. Critics accused the publication of relying on colonial-era stereotypes and presenting a distorted image of India. The cartoon further intensified the ongoing controversy surrounding PM Modi’s official visit to Norway, during which a journalist questioned him over allegations that he avoids media questions in India.

The cartoon, published by Norwegian daily Aftenposten, showed Modi holding a fuel pump hose shaped like a snake. It accompanied an opinion article titled “A Cunning and Slightly Disturbing Man.”

The issue gained further traction amid continuing discussion over PM Modi’s media interaction in Norway. Norwegian journalist Hele Lyng attempted to question the Prime Minister during a press briefing, and clips of the exchange later went viral on social media. India’s Ministry of External Affairs subsequently held a separate press conference to respond to media queries.

‘Colonial-Era Stereotypes’

The cartoon sparked outrage among many Indian social media users, who described it as racist and linked it to long-standing colonial stereotypes portraying India as the “land of snakes and snake charmers.” The snake charmer image has historically been used by sections of the Western media as a symbol of India and its people, and in recent decades has increasingly been criticised as a xenophobic and outdated trope.

A similar controversy erupted in October 2022 when Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia faced backlash for using a snake charmer illustration while depicting India’s economic rise.

The debate also drew attention because Norway currently ranks first on the World Press Freedom Index, while India slipped from 154 to 157 in the latest rankings.

Reacting to the cartoon, one X user wrote, “This isn’t journalism — it’s colonial-era racism dressed up as commentary. They can’t stomach India’s rise, so they fall back on the same tired stereotypes their grandparents used. The mask slips every time.”

Another user commented, “Even if the caricature was meant to symbolise oil as a snake, portraying a visiting head of government in this manner is unacceptable.”