French journalist Sébastien Farcis expelled from India after 13 years

French journalist Sébastien Farcis has been compelled to leave India following the Indian government's refusal to renew his journalism permit. Farcis, who had been working in India for 13 years as the South Asia correspondent for Radio France Internationale, Radio France, Libération, and public radio stations in Switzerland and Belgium, departed the country on June 17.

Despite his long tenure and Overseas Citizenship of India status through his marriage to an Indian woman, his permit renewal was unexpectedly denied by the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 7, with no explanation provided.

Farcis's attempts to appeal the decision were unsuccessful, and he expressed that the order to leave was particularly shocking given his previous access to reports from sensitive border areas. This expulsion coincided with the eve of India's general elections, one of the world's largest democratic exercises, which Farcis was consequently barred from covering. He characterized the decision as a form of censorship that was difficult to comprehend.

The journalist shared his experience in a podcast with Radio France, highlighting the abrupt nature of his expulsion, which was communicated via a brief email. Farcis indicated that officials from the Ministry of External Affairs were also surprised by the development.

This incident marks the third recent expulsion of a foreign correspondent from India. Australian Broadcasting Corporation's South Asia bureau chief Avani Dias was forced to leave in April after being informed that her visa would not be extended. This decision followed her reporting on the killing of a Sikh separatist, and the Ministry of Home Affairs cited her election accreditation as a reason for the denial.

In February, another French journalist, Vanessa Dougnac, was ordered to explain why her Overseas Citizen of India card should not be revoked. Dougnac's expulsion was attributed to her "malicious" work, which allegedly fostered a negative perception of India.

Farcis expressed concern about the state of press freedom in India, noting an increasing authoritarian shift over the past decade, especially in the last five years. He observed that journalists, researchers, and human rights workers who do not conform to the government's line are being marginalized or dismissed.

The broader implications of these actions raise significant concerns about freedom of expression in India. The expulsion of foreign journalists not only affects the individuals involved but also signals a troubling trend in how the Indian government is handling international scrutiny and dissenting voices within its borders.

The pattern of targeting journalists critical of the government suggests a tightening grip on media freedom, which has repercussions for both domestic and international perceptions of India's commitment to democratic values.