‘Misleading narrative’: India rejects UN’s allegations of ‘judicial harassment’ of Rana Ayyub

India has slammed the United Nations allegations of judicial harassment of journalist Rana Ayyub, calling them “baseless and unwarranted”. A tweet from India’s permanent representative at Geneva and other international organisations reiterated that the UN was “advancing a misleading narrative”.

The statement came after the UN called for an investigation into “relentless misogynistic and sectarian attacks online” against journalist Rana Ayyub and an end to her “judicial harassment”. According to NDTV, the UN’s special rapporteurs had said the attacks against Ayyub were “a result of her reporting on issues affecting minority Muslims in the country, her criticism of the government for its handling of the pandemic and her comments on the recent ban on hijabs in schools and colleges in Karnataka”.

According to the Indian Express, “official sources in New Delhi said the matter will be followed up by a note verbale from the Indian mission in Geneva”.

Earlier this month, the enforcement directorate had locked Ayyub’s assets worth over Rs 1.77 crore after an FIR had been registered, alleging that Ayyub acquired money from the public in the name of charity. The UN called these “baseless allegations”, while Ayyub had issued a detailed statement saying they were “preposterous, wholly mala fide and belied by record”.