Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng's India visa cancelled ahead of Hyderabad Bharat Summit

Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has alleged that her Indian visa was cancelled at the last minute, preventing her from travelling to Hyderabad to attend the Bharat Summit, where she was scheduled to speak on media, press freedom and democracy.

Lyng, a journalist with Norway-based newspaper Dagsavisen, shared the development on X on Wednesday, November 11. Her post was subsequently reposted by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, bringing further attention to the controversy.

The journalist said she had received an Indian visa and was scheduled to leave for India on Wednesday morning. However, she alleged that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled her visa on the instructions of senior authorities.

"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," Lyng wrote on X.

Lyng addresses Amit Shah over visa cancellation

In a video message accompanying her post, Lyng directly addressed Union Home Minister Amit Shah, questioning the decision to prevent her from entering India despite having secured a visa and the necessary political clearance for the event.

She said she had been looking forward to visiting India for the first time and was disappointed that her travel plans had been disrupted shortly before her scheduled departure.

Lyng also questioned the reasons behind the cancellation, suggesting that the decision could be linked to her previous reporting and criticism of the Indian government.

Journalist had questioned PM Modi during Oslo visit

Lyng had come into the spotlight earlier this year after questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint press interaction with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo in May.

During the interaction, she asked Modi why he did not take questions from what she described as the world's freest press. The exchange attracted considerable attention online and triggered a wider discussion about press freedom and the Indian government's engagement with journalists.

The journalist subsequently defended her decision to question the Prime Minister, maintaining that holding political leaders accountable through questions was an essential responsibility of the press.

She also faced questions from Indian officials during a subsequent media briefing addressed by Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Sibi George, where she questioned India's credibility and asked, "Why should we trust you?"

Bharat Summit was to host discussions on media and democracy

Lyng had been invited to Hyderabad as a panelist and speaker at the Bharat Summit, where she was expected to participate in discussions on the future of media and press freedom.

The event, organised by the Congress-led Telangana government, is scheduled to bring together political representatives, policymakers and intellectuals from several countries to discuss issues concerning democracy, governance and international cooperation.

The cancellation of Lyng's visa has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the decision, particularly as she claimed to have already received the necessary travel authorisation.

As of Thursday, an official response from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of External Affairs addressing Lyng's allegations was awaited.