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

Australian journalist Avani Dias claimed as we speak that she was not allowed to cowl the final elections in India and was compelled to leave the nation. But authorities sources stated 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 as we speak that she was denied a visa extension by the Government of India as a result of her experiences had been seen to have “crossed a line”.

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

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

Refuting these allegations, authorities sources stated 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 can be prolonged for the protection of the final elections, the sources stated, including that her earlier visa was legitimate until April 20.

“The rivalry 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 will not be appropriate, deceptive and mischievous,” stated a supply.

The authorities sources stated that Dias paid the visa extension charge 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, nevertheless, selected to leave India on April 20, stated the sources. At the time of her departure, she held a legitimate 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 stated.

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

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