Snake charmer used to portray India's economic growth, internet divided

A Spanish newspaper is being criticised on social media for using a snake charmer cartoon to report on the Indian economy.

La Vanguardia, a Spanish daily, issued a story 'La hora de la economia india', or 'The hour of the Indian economy on its front page. And, the caricature they used to portray the economic growth of India was a snake charmer.

PC Mohan, BJP Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru Central, said, "While #India's strong economy gets global recognition, portraying our image as snake charmers even after decades of independence is sheer stupidity. Decolonising the foreign mindset is a complex endeavour."

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath said, "Quite cool that the world is taking notice, but the cultural caricaturing, a snake charmer to represent India, is an insult. Wonder what it takes for this to stop; maybe global Indian products?"

On the other hand, a section of social media users did not find the graphic offensive. One user said, "I don't see it as an insult but a matter of pride even if that lens is used." Another wrote, "What do they call our entire country? It doesn't matter. What matters is that India is growing."