French journalist Vanessa Dougnac has revelaed that the Government of India has authorized her to resume her profession after a gap of two and a half years during which she was denied to undertake any journalistic activities.
The former foreign South Asia correspondent in New Delhi, in her statement wrote, "I am very pleased that my professional rights as a journalist to work in India have been reinstated. As always, I have only ever wanted to do my job as a journalist, with integrity and rigor, in a country I love and respect."
French journalist Vanessa Dougnac has revelaed that the Government of India has authorized her to resume her profession after a gap of two and a half years during which she was denied to undertake any journalistic activities.
In a statement, Dougnac shared that the Indian government has granted her a one-year work permit.
Dougnac was forced to leave India in February 2024 and stop her profession in the country after the government authorities claimed that her articles were "malicious" and harming "the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India".
The Former foreign South Asia correspondent in New Delhi, in her statement wrote, "I am very pleased that my professional rights as a journalist to work in India have been reinstated. As always, I have only ever wanted to do my job as a journalist, with integrity and rigor, in a country I love and respect."
"With my permit suspended however, I had to abandon my position as a regional correspondent in India and South Asia for several publications and everything I had built over twenty-five years in Delhi. Under the threat of serious accusations and the possibility of expulsion, I was forced to leave India suddenly in February 2024," she added.
She continued to thank "all those who supported me during this difficult ordeal" and particularly mentioned the French Embassy in India along with her lawyers.
Concluding her statement Dougnac said, "I reaffirm my attachment to India, a country to which I owe so much and where I have lived rich and exciting years, both personally and professionally. The possibility of returning and practicing my profession in India once again is now an immense relief."
The South Asia Correspondent for French publications La Croix and Le Point, Swiss newspaper Le Temps and Belgian daily Le Soir, in her parting statement during the troubled times said, "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. The place where I married, raised my son, and which I call my home."
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office served a notice on Dougnac in January 2024 where they asked why her OCI card should not be cancelled, claiming she was "undertaking journalistic activities without any special permission as required under Citizenship Act 1955 and rules/regulations issued thereunder".