French journalist says India is forcing her to leave

Today, I am unable to work and have been unfairly accused of prejudicing the interests of the state, Vanessa Dougnac says

By Reuters
February 17, 2024
A French journalist working in India Vanessa Dougnac can be seen in this image released on January 24, 2024. — X/@RSF_inter
A French journalist working in India Vanessa Dougnac can be seen in this image released on January 24, 2024. — X/@RSF_inter 

NEW DELHI: A French national, who says she has worked as a journalist in India for more than two decades and is married to an Indian man, said on Friday a notice from New Delhi accusing her of writing articles damaging to the state meant she would have to leave.

Vanessa Dougnac said Indian authorities sent her a notice last month saying articles she had written were malicious and asking her to give them reasons why they should not revoke her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card that allows her to live and work in India.

“Today, I am unable to work and have been unfairly accused of prejudicing the interests of the state. It has become clear that I cannot keep living in India and earning my livelihood,” Dougnac said in a statement on Friday.