Censorship

Noting that a French journalist’s “malicious” work has created a “biased negative perception” of the country and that the journalist is in violation of visa rules, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a notice to the journalist asking why their Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card should not be cancelled.

The French journalist, married to an Indian and living here for 22 years, has been given a 15-day deadline ending 2 February to respond. In the event of losing their OCI status, the journalist will have to leave the country and apply for a visa to come back. The journalist has been “undertaking journalistic activities without any special permission as required under Citizenship Act 1955 and rules/regulations issued thereunder,” states a document issued by the Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO) of the MHA on 18 January.

In a statement to ThePrint, the journalist confirmed receipt of the notice, and denied claims from the Indian government. “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. 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.”