A Bold Question from a Norwegian Journalist
A Norwegian journalist has captured global attention for her bold questioning of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Norway. Helle Lyng, a correspondent with the newspaper Dagsavisen in Oslo, gained widespread recognition on social media after challenging Modi and his officials on issues of press freedom and human rights.
Lyng's moment of prominence came when she confronted Modi at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. As they were leaving the venue, she shouted, “Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” Modi did not stop to respond and walked out of the room. It remains unclear whether he heard her question.
She later shared a video of the incident, captioning it: “Prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, would not take my question, I was not expecting him to.” Lyng emphasized that it is her duty as a journalist to question those in power, even when they are partners in international cooperation.
Press Freedom and Human Rights Concerns
India’s position on press freedom has been under scrutiny, particularly during Modi’s four-nation European tour, which began with a two-day visit to the Netherlands. The country is ranked 157th out of 180 nations in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, placing it in the "very serious" category. This ranking marks a drop of six places from its 2025 position. In contrast, Norway ranks first in the index.
Lyng’s questioning of Modi escalated into a tense exchange during a subsequent press briefing by the Indian foreign ministry. She pressed officials on press freedom and human rights, asking, “As we strengthen our partnership, why should we trust you?” She also questioned whether India could promise to stop human rights violations and if Modi would begin taking questions from the Indian media.
Senior diplomat Sibi George defended India’s democratic credentials, highlighting the country’s contributions during the pandemic and its constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights. He argued that India’s actions in international crises had earned global trust and described the nation as a "civilisational country which has something unique to offer to the world."
George criticized the limited understanding of India’s media landscape among international observers, pointing to reports that question human rights violations in the country. He noted that Delhi alone has hundreds of television news channels and suggested that many international critics rely on "godforsaken, ignorant NGO" reports.
In a follow-up post on X, Lyng expressed frustration over the lack of specific answers on human rights. She noted that officials focused on India’s efforts during the pandemic and other topics like yoga.
Criticism from Indian Opposition
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Modi for what he perceived as a lack of transparency. He asked, “What happens to India’s image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?” Gandhi added, “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.”
Dutch Prime Minister's Concerns
Over the weekend, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten raised concerns about the erosion of press freedom and minority rights in India ahead of his meeting with Modi. According to the newspaper De Volkskrant, Jetten addressed these concerns during a press briefing, stating, “It is not only about press freedom but also about the rights of minorities, who are under severe pressure. That applies in the first place to the Muslim community but also to many other smaller communities.”
Human rights groups have repeatedly highlighted concerns about the rhetoric of Modi’s BJP against minorities, as well as recent sectarian violence linked to Hindu religious festivals and state-sponsored demolitions of Muslim properties.
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