Why fear questions? Revanth Reddy slams Centre over Norwegian journo's visa denial
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday attacked the central government over a Norwegian journalist's claim that her visa to India was revoked at the last minute, months after she drew attention for attempting to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint media briefing in Norway. Reddy slammed what he called the government's discomfort with questions and warned that the incident raises serious concerns about democratic freedoms.
The Congress leader further alleged asking questions was a fundamental responsibility of journalists and could not be treated as a crime.
"I do not understand why the Modi government is so uncomfortable with questions. A journalist asking the Prime Minister a question is not a crime. It is the responsibility of journalists to ask questions. Whether the Prime Minister chooses to answer or not is his prerogative. But denying entry into India to a journalist merely for asking a question raises serious concerns about democratic freedoms," the Chief Minister said.
Helle Lyng, the Norwegian journalist, claimed that the Indian embassy in Oslo revoked her visa moments before she was scheduled to depart for Hyderabad for an event. I got a visa to India and was supposed to leave this morning to attend the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad. I had been invited as a panelist and speaker on the future of media and press freedom. But orders from above in the Ministry of Home Affairs have cancelled my visa. Here is my message for @AmitShah— Helle Lyng (@HelleLyngSvends) November 11, 2026
Reddy, reacting to the claim, alleged that there had been instances in which journalists who were granted visas were subsequently denied permission to travel to India by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Telangana Chief Minister accused Modi of displaying an authoritarian mindset, claiming that the Prime Minister appeared uncomfortable with being questioned or challenged.
"The impression is that Prime Minister Modi does not like being questioned or challenged. He believes that whatever he knows or says is right. This reflects an authoritarian mindset, which has no place in a democratic country," he said.
Emphasising India's democratic traditions, Reddy said the country had evolved through centuries of debate and discussion, from the time of Gautama Buddha to the present, and that its laws and democratic values had developed through such exchanges.
He also questioned the BJP's criticism of discussions involving international participants, taking a swipe at Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and BJP Telangana president N Ramchander Rao for objecting to the issue. He alleged that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had joined the BJP in criticising the initiative.
"I do not understand why BJP leaders, including Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and BJP Telangana president N Ramchander Rao, are making such a big issue out of this. Even the BRS has joined the BJP in this chorus. Both parties seem to be playing the same tune," he said.
Drawing a comparison with the Centre's flagship international dialogue platform, Reddy asked whether inviting foreign participants for discussions could be considered anti-national.
"If organising discussions and inviting international participants is considered anti-national, then what about the Raisina Dialogue? Several people are invited to participate in such discussions. Does that mean those platforms are also working against the country? Why is the BJP afraid of debate and discussion?" he asked.
He further questioned whether the Prime Minister's electoral prospects could be affected simply because a journalist sought to question him.- Ends
Principal Correspondent at India Today. Reporting from Hyderabad Bureau. Basheer has keen interest in political stories, analysis, and crime stories. He keeps close watch on all happenings in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. A law graduate, journalist by passion and profession.
