'Misleading And Mischievous': Government On Australian Journalist Avani Dias' Claim That She Was Forced To Leave India

The government has strongly refuted claims made by an Australian journalist regarding the circumstances surrounding her abrupt departure from India on the first day of the Lok Sabha elections.

According to government sources, Avani Dias's claim that her visa extension was denied, which forced her to leave India, is inaccurate and misleading.

In posts on social media, Dias, the South Asia Bureau Chief for Australian broadcaster ABC News said she had to leave India on 19 April, the day on which polling for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections was held.

"Last week, I had to leave India abruptly. The Modi Government told me my visa extension would be denied, saying my reporting 'crossed a line'. After Australian Government intervention, I got a mere two-month extension... less than 24 hours before our flight," Dias claimed in a post on X.

"We were also told my election accreditation would not come through because of an Indian Ministry directive," she added.

Responding to her claims, a government source said, "The contention of Avani Dias, South Asia correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Corporation, that she was not allowed to cover elections and was compelled to leave the country is not correct, misleading and mischievous", NDTV reported.

The sources clarified that while Dias was found to have violated visa rules, the government had nonetheless assured her that her visa would be extended to allow her to cover the elections.

"Ms Dias was found to have violated visa rules while undertaking her professional pursuits. Inspite of this, on her request, she was assured that her visa would be extended for the coverage of the general elections. Her previous visa was valid till 20th April 2024," the source added. 

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