Longest serving foreign journalist in India says she is being forced to leave by government
Says move is part of broader effort to suppress dissent within the OCI community
New Delhi: Vanessa Dougnac, a highly regarded French journalist and the longest-serving foreign correspondent in India for multiple international news organizations, has announced her departure from the country following the government's two-week revocation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card last month. The government cited alleged concerns over her reporting as the reason for the punitive action.
In a statement released on Friday, Dougnac expressed her deep connection to India, where she had come as a student 25 years ago and worked as a journalist for 23 years. She noted that leaving was not her choice but a decision forced upon her by the Indian government.
The Foreigners Registration Office, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued a notice to Dougnac on January 18, accusing her of producing "malicious" work that created a "biased negative perception" of the country. The notice also claimed that her work had the potential to "provoke disorder and disturb peace in certain sections of society."
Around 30 foreign correspondents stationed in India collectively penned an open letter expressing solidarity with Dougnac. They urged Indian authorities to promptly resolve her case, ensuring it does not adversely impact her career or family life.
Dougnac's statement emphasized that these actions by the government appeared to be part of a broader effort to suppress dissent within the OCI community. Despite earlier suggestions by authorities that she change her profession, Dougnac asserted her identity as a journalist, a profession she holds dear to her heart, and refused to give it up due to unproven accusations.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Indian authorities to reinstate Dougnac's journalism permit immediately and cease using legal technicalities to impede journalists in carrying out their duties.
In September 2022, the Indian government had revoked Dougnac's journalism permit, prompting her to cease reporting from India at that time. Known for covering human rights, international and domestic politics, Dougnac contributed to prominent publications, including the French daily newspaper La Croix, French weekly Le Point, Swiss French-language daily newspaper Le Temps, and French-language Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also condemned the methods employed by Indian authorities to make Dougnac leave, characterizing them as symptomatic of the growing persecution of journalists in India. RSF highlighted that at least four OCI journalists based in India had their work permit renewals refused, and two of them opted to leave the country.
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12-year-old boy sexually assaulted by two classmates, class 10 student in Faridabad
Faridabad (PTI): A student of class 8 here was allegedly sexually assaulted for several days by two of his classmates and a student of class 10, police said on Saturday.
Based on a complaint of the victim's father, police have registered a case against the three juveniles under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at Saran Police Station.
According to police, the 12-year-old boy, studying in a government school, was leaving the premises to go home when he was lured by two of his classmates and another student of class 10 to the school bathroom, where they sexually assaulted him.
Following this, the accused students allegedly assaulted him for several days.
The boy's father noticed changes in his son's behaviour and asked him about it. He narrated his ordeal to the father who then approached the police.
Two of the accused students live in the same village as the victim, police said.
A senior police officer said, "We have initiated the necessary legal procedures. Counselling is being provided to the victim, and the entire matter is being investigated seriously. Further action will be taken based on the investigation."
