Nexus News Alert | New Delhi, 20 May 2026 — A cartoon published by Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer has triggered strong outrage across India. The cartoon, titled “A sneaky and slightly annoying man”, has been widely criticised as racist and stereotypical.
The cartoon shows PM Modi sitting on a floor mat in traditional attire, playing a pungi (snake charmer’s flute) to a fuel pump nozzle shaped like a snake. It appeared in the opinion section just before PM Modi’s arrival in Norway.
Why the Modi Snake Charmer Cartoon Sparked Controversy
Netizens and social media users have slammed the cartoon for promoting outdated colonial-era stereotypes about India. Many called it an insult to India’s identity and questioned Norway’s position as the top country in the World Press Freedom Index.
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The article accompanying the cartoon discussed PM Modi’s foreign policy of engaging with multiple world leaders and India’s interest in green technology and digitisation from Nordic countries. However, the visual representation drew massive backlash.
Reactions to Modi Snake Charmer Cartoon
- Indian users on X (Twitter) called it “unacceptable” and reflective of a colonial mindset.
- The cartoon has been shared widely with criticism, with many demanding an apology from the newspaper.
- The timing of the cartoon, just before PM Modi’s visit to Norway, has further intensified the row.
This controversy erupted even as PM Modi concluded his visit to Norway and moved to Italy. During the Norway visit, a Norwegian journalist’s question on press freedom in India had already sparked debate.
Background of the Cartoon Row
The cartoon was published by veteran journalist Frank Rossavik in Aftenposten, Norway’s largest newspaper. While the article tried to analyse India’s strategic interests, the imagery used has been seen as highly offensive and regressive.
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India has strongly rejected such stereotypical depictions in the past. The Modi Snake Charmer Cartoon has once again brought attention to how some sections of Western media continue to portray India through a colonial lens.
As the controversy grows, many are demanding accountability from the Norwegian newspaper and calling for greater cultural sensitivity in international media coverage of India.
