A French journalist, who was served a notice by the Union ministry of home affairs asking why her Overseas Citizen of India card should not be withdrawn, has denied the government’s allegation that her reports on India were “malicious”.

A notice issued by the Foreigners Registration Office of the MHA on January 18 has alleged that Vanessa Dougnac’s reportage created “biased negative perception about India”. It also accused her of “undertaking journalistic activities without any special permission as required under Citizenship Act 1955 and rules/regulations issued thereunder”, The Print reported.

Dougnac, who has been living in India for 22 years and is married to an Indian citizen, writes for French publications Le Point and La Croix, and Swiss and Belgian daily newspapers Le Temps and Le Soir from south Asia.

Dougnac confirmed in a public statement that she has received a notice from “the concerned department of the government of India,” asking her why her OCI card should not be cancelled.

Newslaundry did not see the contents of the notice.

Sources said she has to respond to it by February 2. She also said that “India was her home”. The statement read, “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.”

Her statement said: “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.”

This comes days ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to India on January 25, to be the chief guest of the Republic Day parade.

‘Was not contacted by The Print’

The Print published a report on the notice to Dougnac on Tuesday morning, but it did not name the journalist.

The report initially did not carry Dougnac’s statement, which was later added to it but without any clarification that the report was updated.

Dougnac claimed that the reporter, Pia Krishnankutty, did not contact her for the report. “I would like to state at the outset that the story was published without attempting to speak to me for comment or informing me that it may be published,” she said.

Krishnankutty refused to respond to Dougnac’s charge. “I would not like to comment on this. I have informed my editors about it,” she told Newslaundry.

Newslaundry also reached out to The Print editor-in-chief Shekhar Gupta, but he did not respond immediately. This report will be updated if a response is received.