Press Club of India raises concern over passport issues faced by two senior journalists

The Press Club of India (PCI) on Monday (June 29, 2026) expressed concern over passport-related issues faced by two senior journalists, including former Editor of The Telegraph R. Rajagopal whose name was deleted from the voters’ list of West Bengal.

The PCI said deletion of Mr. Rajagopal’s name from the electoral roll reportedly led to the non-renewal of his passport for over 100 days allegedly following an “adverse” police report.

“Mr. Rajagopal, therefore, also could not attend his daughter’s wedding in the United States in spite of holding a valid visa of that country. It is appalling that in the world’s largest democracy, the bureaucracy gets to decide who is a citizen and who is not,” said the PCI statement.

“If a respected senior editor and a well-known figure like Mr. Rajagopal is facing difficulties to prove his Indian citizenship in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls carried out in that State by the Election Commission (EC), what hardships lakhs of ordinary citizens must be enduring through that process is a significant question that emerges from this instance,” it said.

The PCI said the passport of another senior journalist and author, Samrat Choudhury, was impounded earlier this month citing an “adverse” police verification report.

“As per Mr. Choudhury, his passport was issued through Tatkal back in 2022. According to rules, the police verification for a passport issued under Tatkal is typically carried out later. Mr. Choudhury said he has held an Indian passport since 1993, and his name is in the electoral rolls of Meghalaya where he was born,” said the PCI.

“No reason was cited for doubting his Indian citizenship status. Mr. Choudhury said his passport was taken into the government’s ‘safe custody’ on the Passport Seva Divas,” it said.

The PCI urged the EC and the Ministry of External Affairs to restore Mr. Rajagopal’s name in the electoral roll and passports of the two senior journalists, and also show compassion to all those who have suffered a similar situation.