Full Text of Statement by Press Club of India - Kashmiri Journalist denised premission to Travel to the US

PRESS CLUB OF INDIA
New Delhi

[October 20, 2022]

PCI fails to comprehend the Government decision to stop Pulitzer prize winning Kashmiri journalist Sanah Mattoo to travel to the US to receive the prize.

On the one hand, the Government is making all out efforts to integrate Kashmir with the national mainstream, on the other such actions will only act as deterrents and further aid in alienating people from Kashmir.

We note with concern that this is the second time in four months that she has been stopped from travelling abroad. If allowed to attend the prize giving ceremony, she would have only added to the prestige of the country. Moreover, she had been granted valid visa by the US government for her travel.

PCI demands that the government should come out clean on this matter.