Who Is Avani Dias? Australian Journo Claims 'Forced To Leave India' Amid Polls

 Australian journalist Avani Dias, the South Asia correspondent of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), stirred controversy with her assertions regarding coverage denial during the Indian polls. Citing reasons that her reporting had purportedly "crossed a line," Dias disclosed the refusal of her visa extension by the Indian authorities. However, government sources have swiftly moved to refute her claims, labeling them "misleading and mischievous."

The Controversial Departure

Dias, stationed in Delhi since January 2022, expressed her lamentations regarding the obstructive measures imposed by the Indian authorities, which impeded her journalistic endeavors. Citing a series of unsettling encounters, Dias articulated how the government’s actions hindered her ability to fulfill her professional duties. She recounted instances where access to events was denied, news stories encountered takedown notices on YouTube, and the renewal of her visa was arbitrarily withheld.

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 my flight. 1/2

— Avani Dias (@AvaniDias) April 22, 2024

Dias recounted her visa ordeal through various platforms, shedding light on the sequence of events leading to her departure. Despite intervention from the Australian government, she asserts that the Indian authorities granted her a mere two-month extension, a decision conveyed to her less than 24 hours before her scheduled departure. 

Addressing Dias's Allegations

Dias's departure from India on April 20 sparked a flurry of attention, primarily due to her allegations of being barred from election coverage and facing visa-related complications. Dias asserted that a routine visa extension was denied by Indian authorities, purportedly in response to her journalistic endeavors, particularly referencing an episode of Foreign Correspondent on YouTube that allegedly "crossed a line."

Contrary to Dias's assertions, official sources have clarified that Dias was found to be in violation of visa regulations related to her  professional conduct during her time in India. Despite this, the government granted her request for a visa extension to continue her journalistic work, emphasizing that Dias's visa extension was approved, indicating that there were no impediments imposed by the authorities to prevent her from covering the elections.The government firmly maintains that Dias's departure was not prompted by visa denial or restrictions on her journalistic activities, but rather by her own choice.

Fact Check about Visa Extension and Election Coverage

Dias's assertion of being barred from covering election-related activities has also been addressed by official sources. Journalists holding valid journalist visas are permitted to cover election activities outside of polling booths. However, access to polling booths and counting stations requires authorization letters, a process that may have been hindered by the ongoing visa extension procedure. It is noted that other correspondents from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have successfully obtained these authorization letters, suggesting that procedural challenges were not insurmountable.

Visa Renewal and Editorial Integrity

Contrary to Dias's portrayal of visa delays as a form of punitive action, Indian officials assert that her visa renewal  process was underway, with assurances given regarding its approval. Moreover, allegations of incomplete or misleading information in visa applications for Dias's associates cast doubt on the integrity of ABC's journalistic practices. The government contends that Dias's departure was untimely, as her visa extension was granted until the end of June, providing ample opportunity to cover the electoral process and engage in journalistic endeavors.

The Documentary Controversy

Central to the dispute is Dias's documentary, "Sikhs, Murder, and Spies," which goes deeper into the assassination of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The documentary, which garnered attention for its exploration of alleged links between Indian government agents and Nijjar's killing, was at the center of a diplomatic row between Canada and India. Dias's narrative, amplified by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's comments, added fuel to an already volatile discourse surrounding Sikh separatism and Indian sovereignty.

Allegations of Bias and Misrepresentation

Indian authorities, however, have levied serious allegations against Dias and ABC, accusing them of bias, misrepresentation, and glorification of terrorism. The government contends that the documentary failed to uphold journalistic standards of objectivity and impartiality, instead adopting a pro-Khalistan stance that disregarded dissenting voices within Punjab. Furthermore, officials assert that Dias's reporting provided a platform for extremist elements and fringe separatist groups, contributing to a skewed narrative that undermines national security interests.