New Delhi, In a move that has drawn international condemnation, the Indian government has expelled Vanessa Dougnac, a French journalist known for her critical reporting on Kashmir and other contentious issues. This action underscores the escalating pressures faced by foreign correspondents in India, particularly those scrutinizing the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Dougnac, who has been the longest-serving foreign correspondent in India, was compelled to leave the country following the revocation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs last month. The ministry cited multiple reasons for the revocation, including accusations of “malicious” reporting that purportedly created a “negative perception” of India, inciting disorder, unauthorized travel to restricted areas, and reporting on neighboring countries without proper permission.
In a heartfelt statement, Dougnac expressed her sorrow over leaving India, a country she has called home for nearly a quarter of a century. “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,” Dougnac stated, emphasizing her emotional attachment to India and her commitment to journalistic integrity.
The forced departure of Dougnac has triggered a wave of criticism from international press freedom organizations, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlighting the incident as indicative of the broader persecution of journalists in India. RSF decried the Indian authorities’ tactics as reflective of a deteriorating environment for press freedom under Modi’s leadership, especially in the lead-up to general elections. The organization condemned the “unacceptable way Vanessa Dougnac has been treated” and the leveraging of “absurd accusations as a subterfuge to gag and intimidate outspoken reporters.”
This incident is part of a concerning trend in India, where media freedom has increasingly come under siege since Modi took office in 2014. Journalists covering sensitive topics or critiquing the government have frequently faced backlash, including legal challenges, surveillance, and harassment. The situation has alarmed democracy advocates and press freedom entities worldwide, prompting calls for India to ensure a safe and open environment for the press.
The expulsion of Dougnac serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in India and the international community’s growing concern over the state of press freedom in the world’s largest democracy.