NEW DELHI: Vanessa Dougnac, a French journalist based in India for the last 22 years, claimed on Tuesday that she was facing expulsion from the country with the home ministry citing her reportage as ‘malicious and critical.’
Dougnac, a contributor to various French-language publications, including the weekly magazine Le Point, has been based in India for more than two decades, according to AFP. The home ministry reportedly issued a notice to her last week, calling her work ‘inimical’ to India’s national interests and alleging that her journalistic activities are creating a biased perception of the country. The notice also said that her activities could provoke disorder and disturb peace.
Dougnac, who is married to an Indian national, has until February 2 to challenge the ministry’s decision to cancel her permanent residency, which would compel her to leave the country. Dougnac has written on various topics over the years including the Maoist Naxalite insurgency in rural India. She denies the allegations in the notice, expressing her deep love and respect for India.
The development comes just days before a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who will be attending India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. Macron has actively sought to strengthen ties with India as a strategic partner and buyer of arms, reciprocating Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s invitation for last year’s Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.
India’s World Press Freedom Index ranking has declined 21 places to 161 out of 180 countries since 2014. Last year, the Indian offices of the BBC were raided by the tax department following government criticism for broadcasting a documentary questioning PM Modi’s role in the 2002 religious riots.
Dougnac, a contributor to various French-language publications, including the weekly magazine Le Point, has been based in India for more than two decades, according to AFP. The home ministry reportedly issued a notice to her last week, calling her work ‘inimical’ to India’s national interests and alleging that her journalistic activities are creating a biased perception of the country. The notice also said that her activities could provoke disorder and disturb peace.
Dougnac, who is married to an Indian national, has until February 2 to challenge the ministry’s decision to cancel her permanent residency, which would compel her to leave the country. Dougnac has written on various topics over the years including the Maoist Naxalite insurgency in rural India. She denies the allegations in the notice, expressing her deep love and respect for India.
The development comes just days before a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who will be attending India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. Macron has actively sought to strengthen ties with India as a strategic partner and buyer of arms, reciprocating Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s invitation for last year’s Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.
India’s World Press Freedom Index ranking has declined 21 places to 161 out of 180 countries since 2014. Last year, the Indian offices of the BBC were raided by the tax department following government criticism for broadcasting a documentary questioning PM Modi’s role in the 2002 religious riots.
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