Hayley Ling’s PM Modi Question Row Sparks Rahul Gandhi Interview Buzz

The controversy surrounding Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now taken a political turn after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi became involved in the debate. The issue began during PM Modi’s Norway visit when journalist Helle Lyng attempted to question him on media freedom and human rights in India. However, the Prime Minister did not respond to her questions, leading to criticism and widespread discussion on social media. After the incident, Helle Lyng publicly expressed disappointment on X, sharing a video in which PM Modi was seen leaving the venue without answering questions. In her post, she highlighted Norway’s top ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and compared it with India’s lower position. She stated that questioning powerful leaders is an important duty of independent journalism and said she did not expect the Prime Minister to avoid answering. The matter quickly gained political attention in India. Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized PM Modi, accusing him of avoiding difficult questions. Sharing Helle Lyng’s post, the Congress MP wrote that when a Prime Minister appears afraid of questions, it affects India’s image globally. He added that leaders with nothing to hide should not fear answering the media. Soon after, Helle Lyng tagged Rahul Gandhi on social media and requested a phone interview to discuss PM Modi’s Norway trip and the ongoing controversy. As of now, Rahul Gandhi has not publicly responded to her request. The development has further intensified the political debate between the ruling BJP and the Congress party. Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs invited Helle Lyng to attend an official press briefing in Norway. During the event, she again raised concerns about human rights and media freedom in India and questioned whether PM Modi would ever answer tough questions from journalists. Responding on behalf of the Indian government, senior diplomat Sibi George defended India’s democratic values and global role. He emphasized India’s long civilization, democratic system, and contributions to the world, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the interaction became tense after repeated interruptions during the exchange, with Sibi George insisting on his right to answer questions in his own way. The controversy has now become a major talking point in Indian politics, with debates continuing over press freedom, political accountability, and India’s international image.