Journalist’s family stranded in Oman

March 30, 2011, the day India erupted in celebrations following its cricket World Cup semifinal victory over Pakistan, one family went into a quiet huddle. For them, the day marked the beginning of a struggle that would define their lives in the months to come.

That day, sports journalist Hari Narayanan’s employers, the Oman Tribune, terminated his contract ostensibly for his persistent questioning of their “harassing” and “dictatorial” style of working, and for asking why he had been designated as ‘linguist’ and not ‘journalist’.

“Over 90% of Indian journalists in Oman Tribune have fake designations,” he told DNA. For a journalist visa the employers have to go through “strict scrutiny” since the Oman government places “restrictions on entry of foreign journalists”.

He could have quietly walked out of Oman. But he chose to take the newspaper — it belongs to an influential Omani businessman — to court, and is fighting to have his job and honour back.

But battles like these often come with a price. For the past 13 months, he and his family — his wife, son Kartikeyan (10), and daughter Keisha (5) — have been living without a source of income. They are completely dependent on “a fund” created by sympathetic Omani and Indian journalists.

His wife and children, he says, are being used as “pawns” to “weaken his resolve”. His family’s visas expired on March 18, 2011. The Oman government refused granting an extension saying “only sponsors (Oman Tribune) can renew visa”. This leaves the family in a limbo.

His wife can’t work in Muscat, nor can she and the children leave Oman because of their “illegal status”.

Kartikeyan and Keisha were on the verge of being turned out from the ‘Indian School Al Ghubra’. Hari’s journalist friends intervened and requested the school authorities “not to charge any fees” till the verdict in Hari’s case had been delivered.

The Indian embassy, he says, has been largely “uncooperative” and “indifferent” despite his numerous appeals for government level intervention.

On February 12, Hari urged Indian ambassador to Oman JS Mukul to hear his case. But “till date” there has been “no response.” Last month, Hari was forced to seek the RTI route after the embassy refused to reveal his case file number citing “standing orders not to do so.” On April 4, they turned down his RTI request.
On March 6, he met minister for overseas Indian affairs Vyalar Ravi who was in Muscat. Ravi “assured” him of cooperation. But those turned out to be mere words.

A primary court is expected to deliver its verdict in the case on May 28.