Who Is Avani Dias, Australian Journalist Allegedly Asked To Leave India

The 32-year-old journalist is the South Asia bureau chief for Australia's ABC News. In a post on X, she stated that she encountered difficulties renewing her visa following a critical report on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

TN National Desk

Updated Apr 27, 2024, 18:23 IST

Australian journalist Avani Dias

Australian journalist Avani Dias stirred up a storm with her recent allegations that she was asked to leave India due to her reporting.

She alleged she was abruptly asked to leave India and was denied the opportunity to cover the Lok Sabha elections.

Dias stated on social media platform X that she returned to Australia last week after being informed by a government official that her visa extension would be refused due to her reporting.

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

After lobbying efforts by the office of Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other diplomats, Dias was granted a two-month visa extension to cover the Lok Sabha polls, as reported by ABC News.

However, she decided to leave India.

Australian officials have stated that Dias chose to depart India, despite being offered an extension by Indian authorities.

Avani Dias previously hosted the current affairs show Hack on Triple J, a youth radio station.

She has received recognition for her work in journalism, including the Public Interest Award at the New South Wales Premier's Multicultural Communications Awards in 2019.

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