Paris, French film director Valentin Hénault has shared his experience of being arrested and detained in India after participating in a Dalit rights march in Uttar Pradesh last October. Hénault, who was in India to film a documentary on Dalit women, faced harsh prison conditions and significant legal hurdles before his eventual return to France this May.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Hénault was apprehended on October 10, 2023, by Indian authorities while attending an event called “Ambedkar’s people’s march,” which advocated for land rights for Dalits. The arrest was made on the grounds of violating visa regulations, leading to his detention in Gorakhpur prison under difficult conditions. He was reportedly forced to sleep on the floor in overcrowded cells and was later moved to a cell for mentally unstable prisoners, where he faced physical abuse.

French daily Le Monde detailed Hénault’s ordeal, noting his initial uncertainty over the length of his detention and describing the conditions as akin to “moral torture.” Despite these challenges, Hénault managed to contact the French embassy, securing his release on bail on November 10, 2023. However, he remained in India under a lookout notice that prevented his departure until it was lifted in May 2024.

This incident has drawn attention to the treatment of foreign nationals in India and underscored ongoing issues related to freedom of speech and assembly. Moreover, Hénault’s arrest highlights the persistent challenges faced by the Dalit community in securing their rights within the country.