Lessons for Indian journalism from journalist and prophecy scribbler Francois Gautier

French journalist Francois Gautier has claimed that his views have been misrepresented in an article published in The Times of India on April 9 titled “Why Hindutva’s foreign-born cheerleaders are so popular”. In a Facebook post from yesterday, Gautier wrote that the article revealed “how Indian journalism is slanted, devious and dishonest”.

The article in question, written by ToI’s senior assistant editor Himanshi Dhawan, profiles foreign born “Hindutva activists” like Gautier who have found favour with the Indian Right. “Indologists like Frawley and Koenraad Elst, journalist Francois Gautier and Pakistan-born Canadian Tarek Fatah are bringing ammunition against the left-liberal discourse and legitimising the Hindutva version of nationalism, on matters like cow protection, triple talaq and the Ram Mandir,” Dhawan writes.

In their email interaction (which Gautier has posted on Facebook), Dhawan asked Gautier what drew him to Hindutva ideology to which he responded by relating his experience of covering Kashmir for the French magazine Le Figaro, where he witnessed the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and the growing influence of Islamic radicalism. He concluded his response by writing, “The truth is I don’t know about Hindutva, I only know what Francois Gautier saw first hand and now believes in (sic).”

Gautier has complained about the usage of the term ‘Hindutva’ in the headline and article, which he said was “demeaning”. He also found the word ‘cheerleader’ troubling, as it had been used “contemptuously”. His other major grievance is that Dhawan’s article quotes historian Irfan Habib who dismisses the scholarly credentials of the article’s subjects. Gautier refers to Habib as a “discredited historian” who has “distorted Indian history books and curriculum without any shame”. Gautier concludes his post by saying, “My sad conclusion is that Indian journalism has not only not changed, but it has become WORSE. Before it was only the Marxist intelligentsia putting forth their Hinduphobia, now there is the added element of commercialism and paid journalism (sic).”

Gautier hasn’t been misquoted in the piece; he is quoted just once and that too, verbatim. His chief objection appears to be being dubbed a “Hindutva activist”, a term he apparently doesn’t recognise with. Fair enough, Monsieur Gautier, perhaps ‘Hindutva aficionado’ is a term you aren’t offended by. It is, however, pretty rich that he is ticked off for being called a cheerleader; it was only last month he had claimed (once again) that he’d discovered hidden manuscripts in which Nostradamus predicted Narendra Modi’s rise to the top. The ‘discovery’ was instantly proved to be a sham and was rightfully ridiculed. Thus, even with all its flaws, perhaps Indian journalism should resist taking advice from Gautier.