Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng, who questioned PM Modi in Oslo, denied entry to India
Mangalore Today News Network
New Delhi, Nov 12, 2026: Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng, who came into the spotlight in May 2026 after questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Oslo, has alleged that her Indian visa was cancelled just hours before her scheduled departure to Hyderabad, despite having a valid visa.
Lyng was among the speakers scheduled to participate in the two-day ’Bharat Summit’, organised by the Telangana government from November 13 in Hyderabad.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Lyng said she was informed about the cancellation shortly before leaving for the airport. She alleged that the decision had been taken following "orders from above in the Ministry of Home Affairs".
In a video message addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lyng, who works for Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen, said she had received her visa and political clearance and was looking forward to attending the conference as a speaker in a session on media, press freedom and democracy.
She said the Indian Embassy in Norway contacted her approximately 10 minutes before she was due to leave for the airport and informed her that she would not be allowed to travel to India.
Lyng described the last-minute decision as potentially politically motivated and questioned whether it was linked to her criticism of Modi and his government.
She also suggested that her previous articles and public comments criticising industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, whom she described as alleged close associates of the Prime Minister, might have contributed to the decision.
Additionally, she wondered whether her favourable opinion pieces on the Cockroach Janta Party movement and an interview with its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, could have played a role.
Addressing Shah, Lyng appealed to the government to reconsider the decision, pointing out that she still had time before her scheduled panel discussion. She questioned whether she would be allowed into India despite holding a visa and having received political clearance.
Lyng had attracted widespread attention on May 18, 2026, when she questioned Modi as he was leaving after delivering a joint press statement with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo.
"Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?" she asked.
Modi did not respond to the question and left the venue along with Støre. Lyng subsequently posted a video of the incident on X, which went viral on social media.
She later raised questions during an official media briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), asking why the international community should trust India and whether Modi would respond to critical questions from journalists.
In response, the MEA gave a detailed account of India’s contributions to global culture and achievements, referring to inventions and developments such as zero, yoga and chess.