Business NewsNewsTrending‘‘Colonial state of mind’: Norwegian paper releases animation of PM Modi as snake charmer, calls him ‘a shrewd and somewhat annoying male’; sets off huge reaction
‘Colonial state of mind ‘: Norwegian paper releases animation of PM Modi as snake charmer, calls him’a shrewd and somewhat annoying male’; activates huge reaction
ET OnlineLast Updated: May 20, 2026, 10:39:00 AM IST
Summary
A Norwegian paper released an animation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that triggered outrage. Critics called the illustration racist, connecting it to colonial-era stereotypes of India. The animation appeared along with a viewpoint piece and throughout conversations about PM Modi’s press interactions in Norway. This event has actually reignited disputes about Western media’s representation of India.
Listen to this post in summed up format
A significant debate has actually emerged over an animation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released by a Norwegian paper on Wednesday. The illustration depicted PM Modi as a snake charmer, setting off sharp criticism on social networks and reigniting dispute over how India is illustrated in areas of the Western media. Critics implicated the publication of depending on colonial-era stereotypes and providing a distorted picture of India. The animation even more heightened the continuous debate surrounding PM Modi’s main check out to Norway, throughout which a reporter questioned him over accusations that he prevents media concerns in India.
The animation, released by Norwegian day-to-day Aftenpostenrevealed Modi holding a fuel pump pipe formed like a snake. It accompanied a viewpoint post entitled “A Cunning and Slightly Disturbing Man.”
The problem got more traction amidst continuing conversation over PM Modi’s media interaction in Norway. Norwegian reporter Hele Lyng tried to question the Prime Minister throughout a press instruction, and clips of the exchange later on went viral on social networks. India’s Ministry of External Affairs consequently held a different interview to react to media questions.
‘Colonial-Era Stereotypes’
The animation stimulated outrage amongst lots of Indian social networks users, who explained it as racist and connected it to enduring colonial stereotypes representing India as the “land of snakes and snake charmers.” The snake charmer image has actually traditionally been utilized by areas of the Western media as a sign of India and its individuals, and in current years has actually significantly been criticised as a xenophobic and out-of-date trope.
A comparable debate appeared in October 2022 when Spanish paper La Vanguardia dealt with reaction for utilizing a snake charmer illustration while portraying India’s financial increase.
Back to suggestion stories
I do not wish to see these stories due to the fact that
They are not appropriate to meThey interrupt the reading circulationOthers
SEND
