Helle Lyng Svendsen, a Norwegian journalist working at the Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen, alleges that her visa to attend a media and press freedom conference in India was cancelled by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The event, Bharat Summit, was scheduled to take place in Hyderabad.
On Wednesday, Helle Lyng Svendsen took to social media to accuse the Indian embassy in Oslo of cancelling her visa for a conference on media and press freedom. The journalist had received political clearance, a visa, and was scheduled to speak at the Bharat Summit. However, just 10 minutes before leaving for the airport, she was reportedly asked not to travel by the embassy. Svendsen speculates that her criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, businesspersons Adani and Ambani, or her positive opinion pieces about the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign could be reasons for the visa cancellation. The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the embassy have not yet commented on Svendsen's allegations.
In May 2026, Svendsen sparked a debate about the role of the press in a democracy by questioning Modi's refusal to address press conferences during a joint press meet with his Norwegian counterpart. After Modi left the hall without acknowledging her question, Svendsen said on social media that she had not expected him to take her question. Supporters of the BJP claimed that she had acted inappropriately and failed to understand that it was a press briefing and not a press conference.
Svendsen wonders if her positive opinion pieces about the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign and her interview of the movement’s founder Abhijeet Dipke might be the reason why she is not allowed to enter India. She is hoping that the Indian government will reconsider its decision, as it is at least two days until her panel discussion at the event in Hyderabad.
Source:
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