NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday shared a video from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Norway, where the Prime Minister could be seen walking away as a Norwegian journalist asked him to answer her question. Accusing the Prime Minister of 'panicking and running' away, Rahul Gandhi said, 'When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What happens to India's image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?'
Incident in Norway
In the video, journalist Helle Lyng could be heard asking: 'PM Modi, why don't you take questions from the freest press in the world.' Later, sharing the footage of the incident on X, she wrote: 'Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, would not take my question, I was not expecting him to. Norway has the number one spot on the World Press Freedom Index, India is at 157th, competing with Palestine, Emirates & Cuba. It is our job to question the powers we cooperate with.'
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Modi is on a five-nation tour, and his visit has come under criticism from the opposition. The opposition parties have questioned his foreign visit after his appeal to the nation to restrict abroad tours to save fuel amid the Middle East crisis.
The incident has sparked a debate on press freedom and the conduct of Indian leaders abroad. Critics argue that the Prime Minister's avoidance of questions from the press undermines India's democratic values, while supporters claim that the journalist's approach was disrespectful.
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