New Delhi: Citing a “violation” of visa rules in connection with her reporting, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a two-week notice to a French journalist regarding the revocation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.This action comes in the run up to French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India. Macron is set to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.The issuance of the notice to the French journalist was first reported by ThePrint.Although the publication did not disclose the journalist’s name, Vanessa Dougnac has since released a statement refuting all the accusations made in the MHA’s notice.“Having been thrust into the spotlight unwillingly by this reporting of a deeply private matter, I am compelled to issue this brief statement at this point of time,” Dougnac stated. She continued: “I can confirm that I have received a notice from the concerned department of the Government of India, and that I deny all the allegations and imputations made therein against me and my conduct.”Dougnac, who is married to an Indian and has been living here for 22 years, asserted that India “is my home, a country which I deeply love and respect, and I have never engaged in any acts that are in any manner prejudicial to Indian interests as is being alleged”.The notice was issued to her a week before President Macron will land in India for a two-day visit for the Republic Day celebrations, when the French media is bound to raise questions about this case.Having been given two weeks’ time to respond to the notice, Dougnac will have to do so by February 2.Dougnac added that she would “cooperate” with the “legal process to deal with such matters”.“As the legal process is ongoing and the issues are pending consideration before the concerned authorities, I would request that the process is allowed to run its course and my privacy is respected during this time,” Dougnac stated.According to new rules introduced in 2021, OCI card holders must apply for a special permit if they want to do journalism, research or missionary work in India.If their application is accepted, permission is given for one year, which must be then renewed.Dougnac, who was writing for the conservative French weekly Le Point and the Catholic newspaper La Croix, had applied for a special permit in 2022. Her application was denied.The notice cites multiple reasons for the cancellation of her OCI card, 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 Ministry of External Affairs refused to comment, noting that the visa policy is made by the home ministry.Government sources are, however, claiming that the case against Dougnac for violating the rules is strong.They asserted that her reports for La Croix, especially on human rights violations of tribals, were factually incorrect.The French embassy has not responded to queries regarding the MHA’s notice against the journalist.
