Journalist R. Rajagopal receives new passport after public outcry amid SIR deletion
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Photo: IANS
Days after widespread criticism over the non-renewal of journalist R. Rajagopal's passport, the former Telegraph editor has received his renewed travel document, according to The Wire.
The controversy began after Rajagopal revealed that his name had been removed from the electoral rolls during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal and that this had affected the renewal of his passport.
Writing for The Wire, Rajagopal said a passport official had informed him that clearance for renewal could only be granted after his name was restored to the voters' list. He said the official told him there was no alternative but to wait until the electoral issue was resolved, The Wire reported.
Rajagopal also expressed confusion over the requirement, noting that he could not find any publicly available rule stating that a voter identity card was mandatory for passport renewal. Describing his experience, he said he had been passed from one office and online portal to another.
The case drew criticism from several organisations and political leaders. The Editors Guild of India condemned both the deletion of Rajagopal's name from the electoral rolls and the delay in renewing his passport.
Leader of the Opposition in Kerala VD Satheesan wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, urging intervention while highlighting Rajagopal's long career as a journalist in Kolkata and his family background.
In a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas raised concerns about the handling of the case, arguing that it raised important questions about constitutional due process, statutory consistency and the rule of law.
After news emerged that Rajagopal had finally received his passport, Brittas welcomed the development but said it was unfortunate that the delay had caused the journalist to miss his daughter's wedding.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the episode as a serious miscarriage of justice while sharing Satheesan's letter on social media.
Trinamool Congress MP and former journalist Sagarika Ghose called the incident shocking and heartbreaking, while also questioning the lack of attention it had received from sections of the mainstream media.