Needless drama

A year-long custody battle over two Indian children in Norway has ended with a Norwegian court handing over custody of them to their paternal uncle.

The children were taken away from their parents by Norway’s child welfare services and put under foster care in May last year. With their visas on the verge of expiry and anxious that they would have to leave their children behind in Norway, the parents used the media to raise attention to their plight.

Frenzied media coverage that framed their version of the story in nationalist terms followed. Public discussion of the issue focused on the clash of child-rearing cultures in India and Norway and the latter’s insensitivity to practices of Asian families.

Politicians vied with each other to project themselves as saviours of the Indian toddlers. What was essentially an issue concerning the domestic problems of a family quickly escalated into a diplomatic row between India and Norway. 

The return of the children to India to the custody of their uncle will be a major relief for the family. It is an occasion for us to reflect on the lessons the saga holds out. First the media, whose hysterical reporting made the story out to be one of national pride.

Reports about ‘cold and unfeeling’ Norwegians were put out without verifying the facts of the story. The Indian government did no better. Without adequately investigating the problem, the ministry of external affairs allowed its role to be dictated and driven by the media. When it eventually emerged that the story put out by the parents was not quite the truth, it ended up with egg on its face.

Of particular concern is the irresponsible conduct of the parents. Sure they were going through a terrible domestic crisis but did they have to manipulate the media, the public and the government? As for the Norwegian child welfare services, an opaque style of working is in nobody’s interest.

They must understand that their belief in the inherent superiority of the Norwegian way of life is at odds with a plural and globalised world, where one needs to be sensitive and respectful to other cultures.

The two children have been through a difficult time. As they begin a new phase of their life with their uncle, the world will hope that they will grow up in a safe and affectionate environment with access to the special care they need.