NEW DELHI: A French journalist who had been in the crosshairs of India’s rightwing Hindu nationalist government for her reporting on Kashmir, and the alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 emergency, was expelled on Friday.

Vanessa Dougnac had been the longest serving foreign correspondent in India. She announced her departure on Friday after the Indian government issued a two-week revocation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card last month, for alleged concerns over her reporting, The Wire said.

The notice sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs was also raised by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit in January for India’s Republic Day celebrations. In a statement, Vanessa Dougnac said that she was writing her announcement “in tears”.

“Today, I am leaving India, the country where I came 25 years ago as a student, and where I have worked for 23 years as a journalist. The place where I married, raised my son, and which I call my home,” she stated.

The South Asia Correspondent for four French publications, Ms. Dougnac has been informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs that her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card would be revoked within two weeks.

The notification listed various grounds for the revocation, ranging from “malicious” reporting that created a “negative perception” of India, inciting disorder, not taking permission for travelling to restricted areas and doing reporting on neighbouring countries, The Wire said.

After the notice was reported in the media, she issued a statement refuting all accusations and asserting her full cooperation with the legal proceedings.

Around 30 foreign correspondents stationed in India jointly penned an open letter expressing solidarity with Ms. Dougnac and urging the Indian authorities to resolve her case promptly, ensuring it does not adversely affect her career or family life.

In her most recent statement released on Thursday, she said she was “being forced to leave by the Government of India”.

Referring to the rejection of her application to work as a journalist while living in India with OCI card in 2022, she stated, “Sixteen months ago, the Ministry of Home Affairs denied my right to work as a journalist, providing no reasons nor justifications, and no hearing. Since then, the Ministry has not once responded to my repeated requests for explanations or review of this arbitrary action”.

On her notice from MHA last month, Ms. Dougnac said that the Indian government accused her articles of “being ‘malicious’, of harming ‘the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India’ and required me to respond to why my Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card should not be cancelled”. It had also claimed that Dougnac’s articles could “provoke disorder and disturb peace”.

She said that while she would continue to challenge the accusations legally, the process had taken a toll and impacted her professionally, compelling her to leave. “Today, I am unable to work and have been unfairly accused of prejudicing the interests of the state. It has become clear that I cannot keep living in India and earning my livelihood.”

The French journalist claimed that authorities had earlier suggested that she should stop reporting, but “I cannot agree to give it up because of unproven accusations”.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2024