French Journalist Leaves India After Expulsion Threat; 25 years in India

Vanessa Dougnac, a former South Asia Correspondent for La Croix, Le Point, Le Temps, and Le Soir, has written about a variety of subjects throughout the years, including the Maoist insurgency in rural India.

New Delhi: A French journalist who fears that her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card may be revoked as a result of her reporting claimed on Friday that the Indian government was “forcing” her to leave the nation.

The Union home ministry sent a notice last month to Vanessa Dougnac, the spouse of an Indian citizen and a former South Asia correspondent for the newsweekly Le Point as well as the newspapers Le Soir and La Croix, requesting an explanation as to why her work should not result in the cancellation of her OCI card because it has created a “biassed negative perception” of India.

French Journalist Vanessa Dougnac Statement:

After receiving a notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Delhi last month accusing her of “malicious” reporting and requesting an explanation as to why her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status should not be revoked for purported rule violations, French journalist Vanessa Dougnac left the country on Friday, claiming she was “being forced to leave by the Government of India.”

Dougnac released the following statement on Friday night: “Last month, I received a notification that claimed that my articles and I were’malicious’ and that we were undermining ‘the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India.’ It also demanded an explanation as to why my OCI card should not be cancelled. The notification went on to say that my writings would “provoke disorder and disturb peace.”

“India Is My Home”- Dougnac Stated :

She said, “I am writing these words while crying.” I’m leaving India today, the place I studied 25 years ago and have been a journalist for 23 years. The location I call home, where I raised my son after getting married. “The Government of India is forcing me to leave,” she added, adding, “It is not my choice.”

“My ability to work as a journalist was denied by the Ministry of Home Affairs sixteen months ago without any explanation or hearing,” the statement said.

My repeated demands for an explanation or reconsideration of this unjustified decision have gone unanswered by the Ministry ever since. I have been falsely accused of harming the state’s interests, which prevents me from working today. I can no longer support myself while staying in India, it has become obvious. I am defending myself against these charges in front of the appropriate authorities, and I fully trust the judicial system. But I can’t afford to wait to find out,” she remarked, expressing her wish to return to India in the future.”

I feel completely destroyed by the OCI status proceedings, especially now that I realise they are a part of the Government of India’s larger attempt to silence the OCI community,” Dougnac said.

She said that before, the authorities had advised her to alter her line of work. She remarked, “But I am a journalist, a career I cherish, and I cannot agree to give it up because of unverified accusations.”

President Emmanuel Macron’s Action on this case:

Actually, during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India last month for the Republic Day festivities, France brought up the Dougnac problem.

India had informed the French side that the matter had nothing to do with her journalism and was instead about “adherence to the laws and regulations of the nation.”

Prior to and during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Delhi as the primary guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, the French administration brought up the Dougnac issue with the Indian side. At the time, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra stated that the Indian side had discussed the issue with the French administration.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra reaction :

Vinay Kwatra, the foreign secretary, had stated that the relevant government department was handling the situation, adding that it had been brought to their attention by the French side both before and during President Macron’s visit.

Dougnac received notification from the Union Home Ministry-affiliated FRRO requesting her to justify the continued validity of her OCI card. She was given until February 2 to provide an explanation.

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