PIO journalist Avani Dias claims she was forced to leave India; govt sources call it “mischievous”

Australian journalist Avani Dias claimed right this moment that she was not allowed to cowl the final elections in India and was compelled to leave the nation. But authorities sources mentioned that her allegation was incorrect and deceptive.

Dias, an individual of Indian origin and the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), left India on April 19. She claimed right this moment that she was denied a visa extension by the Government of India as a result of her reviews have been seen to have “crossed a line”.

She wrote on the social community X right this moment: “Last week, I had to leave India abruptly. The Modi Government advised me my visa extension could be denied, saying my reporting ‘crossed a line’. After Australian Government intervention, I obtained a mere two-month extension… lower than 24 hours earlier than my flight.

“We have been additionally advised my election accreditation wouldn’t come by means of due to an Indian Ministry directive. We left on day certainly one of voting within the nationwide election in what Modi calls ‘the mom of democracy.’”

Refuting these allegations, authorities sources mentioned that Dias was discovered to have violated visa guidelines whereas endeavor her skilled pursuits.

In spite of this, on her request, she was assured that her visa could be prolonged for the protection of the final elections, the sources mentioned, including that her earlier visa was legitimate until April 20.

“The competition of Avani Dias, the South Asia Correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she was not allowed to cowl elections [in India] and was compelled to leave the nation shouldn’t be right, deceptive and mischievous,” mentioned a supply.

The authorities sources mentioned that Dias paid the visa extension price on April 18 — with simply two days left on the validity of the earlier visa — and her visa was prolonged until the top of June 2024 the identical day.

The Australian journalist, nonetheless, selected to leave India on April 20, mentioned the sources. At the time of her departure, she held a sound visa and her visa extension additionally stood authorized, they added.

Her level about not being given permission to cowl elections was additionally factually incorrect, the sources mentioned.

Coverage of election actions exterior of cubicles was permitted to all Journalist Visa holders, they mentioned. “Authority letters are required just for entry to [the inside of] polling cubicles and counting stations. This, nonetheless, can’t be processed whereas the visa extension is below course of,” a supply clarified.

“It is pertinent to notice that different ABC correspondents — Meghna Bali and Som Patidar — have already acquired their letters,” the supply added.