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.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here .
