A new movie, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, hit the big screen on Friday. The film is a powerful and emotional story about an Indian mother fighting for the custody of her children in Norway. Given Rani Mukerji’s acting prowess it is difficult to remain unmoved by it, and movie-goers might come out thinking of Norway as an uncaring country. But as the Norwegian Ambassador to India, it is important for me to present the official Norwegian perspective and correct factual inaccuracies, that this film unfortunately portrays.
The case that the movie is inspired by was resolved a decade ago in cooperation with Indian authorities and an agreement between all the parties involved. This movie is a fictional representation of the case.
Child welfare cases are not easy. Certainly not for the children, not for the parents and not for the Child Welfare Service tasked with finding the right solution. Alternative care is a matter of great responsibility, and a decision about alternative care will never be motivated by payments or profit.
The film projects cultural differences as the primary factor in the case, which is completely false. Without going into any details of this particular case, I categorically deny that feeding with hands and sleeping in the same bed would be the reason for placing children in alternative care. Not in this case and not in any case.
Yes, we have different cultural practices. Yes, we might have different parenting traditions in Norway. But our human instincts are not different. A mother’s love in Norway is no different from a mother’s love in India.
I, as a father of three, have beautiful memories of the time my children were growing up, of feeding them with my hands, of reading bedtime stories to them as they cuddled and slept in the same bed with us. Therefore, it becomes unfathomable to me when I see a repeat of false narratives. It worries me to imagine that our Indian friends will think of us Norwegians as cold-hearted tyrants, which we are decidedly not.
I take pride in the system that I represent, where we are constantly eager to learn from experience and listen to criticism. Child welfare cases are often complex, but the best interest of the child is always the paramount principle in all the work.
Parents have the primary responsibility for raising their children and it is the Norwegian view that children primarily should grow up with their parents. The Child Welfare Service can only intervene when neglect, violence or abuse is confirmed.
The fundamental principle of child welfare in Norway is to safeguard the best interests of the child. This principle is strongly reflected in our laws and constitution and is based on our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. When the rights of a child conflict with the interests of the parents, the rights of the child are to take precedence.
Norway is a democratic, multicultural society. In Norway, we value and respect different family systems and cultural practices, also when these are different to what we are accustomed to. But we have zero tolerance for violence in any shape or form. An occasional slap, however, will not automatically lead to the removal of the child from its family. In such cases, the parents will be offered help and guidance from the child welfare service on other parenting practices that benefit the child. The Norwegian Child Welfare Act applies to all children in the realm regardless of their ethnic background, nationality, or religious beliefs.
The Norwegian authorities have a statutory duty of confidentiality and protection of privacy in all child protection cases. To protect the children and their right to privacy the government will not comment on a specific case. Neither the Ministry nor the Minister can intervene in a case.
Now, to the cultural debate. I have been posted to India for nearly four years now. I have experienced first-hand the deep-rooted pride Indians take in their culture and heritage, and rightly so. Multiculturalism and tolerance are at the heart of the Indian nation. This is an example to follow.
There are presently over 20,000 Indians living in Norway. Indians make up the highest number of immigrant workers in Norway outside of the EU and contribute to our economic, social and cultural growth. Annual events such as the Bollywood festival Norway, Oslo Durga Puja and the Mela festival are popular features.
I sincerely hope this movie will not discourage Indians from coming to Norway. I hope this film will be seen for what it is, and I trust in the viewers to understand that this is a fictional representation. For those involved, there is no denying that the experience was traumatic.
Therefore, I hope that when Indians think of Norway, you can also focus on the good story, our common belief in the value of family life and appreciate what Norway and India have achieved together with years of mutual understanding and respect.
The writer is the Ambassador of Norway to India
