Washington: On the issue of Australian female journalist who accused the government despite extension of visa period for coverage of the Lok Sabha elections being held in India, America gave such a reply to the agencies that they were left speechless. When America was asked a question on the allegations of India not extending the visa period of an Australian journalist, it got angry. The US State Department refused to comment, calling it a personal matter of India. America said that only India can talk about its visa policy.
The matter was that Avni Dias, head of the South Asia Bureau of Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), had left India on 19 April. He alleged on Tuesday that the Indian government refused to extend his visa because his news “violated the Lakshman Rekha”. Dias had said in a post on the social media platform was given. Dias had said, “We were also told that due to the instructions of the Indian Ministry, I would not be allowed to report on the elections. We set off on the first day of voting in a national election that Modi calls the ‘mother of democracy’.
America gave a befitting reply to the allegations against India
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Thursday in response to a question related to these allegations, “Look, only the Indian government can talk about its visa policy. I will not express my views on this.” Patel said in a press conference, ”Broadly speaking, we are clear about the integral role of a free press within the framework of democracy in countries around the world. That’s why we come here and answer questions regularly, but I want in this particular case to let the authorities in India talk about it,” official sources in India had said on Tuesday. That Australian journalist Avani Dias’ contention that she was not allowed to cover the elections and was forced to leave India is false and misleading. Sources had said that Dias was found to be violating visa rules during his professional activities. He had said that despite this, on his request, he was assured that his visa would be extended for general election coverage and his previous visa was valid till April 20.
Dias’s claim has been rejected
“The contention by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) South Asia correspondent Dias that she was not allowed to cover the elections and was forced to leave the country is false, misleading and mischievous,” an Indian External Affairs Ministry source said. Sources said Dias paid the visa fee on April 18 and his visa was extended till the end of June the same day. However, Dias decided to leave India and had a valid visa at the time of departure, he said. Sources said his contention of not being allowed to cover the elections is also factually incorrect. He said that all journalists holding visas are allowed to cover election activities outside the polling booth. (Language)
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