A Pulitzer Prize-winning Kashmiri photojournalist said Wednesday that she was prevented from flying to the United States to receive the award even though she had a valid visa and ticket.
Sanna Irshad Mattoo was supposed to fly to New York on Monday to accept the Pulitzer Prize but was stopped at the New Delhi airport.
Mattoo's ticket was canceled after she was stopped.
The Pulitzer Prize for feature photography was won by Mattoo for his coverage of the COVID-19 crisis in India.
She said she traveled with two colleagues who were allowed to travel. When Mattoo asked what the problem was, the immigration official didn't reply. She was taken to the counter to get her luggage.
She doesn't know why she wasn't allowed to travel. Is it about my job? Is it a different thing? I should be made aware. She doesn't know what the problem is.
There was no response from India.
Mattoo was stopped from going to Paris in July for a book launch and photography exhibition because he was a winner of the Serendipity Arles Grant 2020. Mattoo said that immigration officials told her she wouldn't be allowed to travel internationally.
She has been taking pictures of life in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where the Taliban have been fighting for the region's independence.
The Indian government wants to tighten control over the media in the area. The situation has gotten worse since India revoked the region's semi- autonomy in 2019.
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