Rahul Gandhi Targets PM Modi Over Norway Media Episode, BJP Hits Back

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a viral video from Norway in which a journalist was seen attempting to ask questions as Modi walked away after an event in Oslo.

Sharing the clip on X, Gandhi said, “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.” He further questioned the impact on India’s reputation, asking, “What happens to India’s image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?”

The controversy emerged during Modi’s visit to Oslo as part of his ongoing six-day, five-nation foreign tour . The Prime Minister is attending the third India-Nordic Summit and holding bilateral meetings with Nordic leaders.

In the viral video, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng was heard asking Modi why he did not take questions “from the freest press in the world”. She later posted the clip online and referred to Norway’s high position in global press freedom rankings while contrasting it with India’s ranking.

The issue triggered political reactions in India. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also targeted Modi by posting a photograph of him with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and sarcastically questioning what “gyaan” the Indian Prime Minister was giving his counterpart.

The BJP and government officials defended Modi and rejected the Opposition’s criticism. Government representatives argued that the Oslo event was not an open press conference and therefore did not include a formal question-and-answer session.

The Ministry of External Affairs also asserted that India remains a “proud democracy” and defended the country’s record on press freedom and democratic values amid criticism from sections of the foreign media.