Is the Indian Government Targeting Journalists? The Case of R Rajagopal Raises Concerns

The denial of passport renewal for journalist R Rajagopal has sparked outrage and raised questions about political vendetta in India. Congress leader KC Venugopal has condemned the actions taken against Rajagopal, alleging that they reflect a dangerous trend of targeting journalists and ordinary citizens. With Rajagopal's name removed from electoral rolls due to a minor error, the implications of this case extend beyond individual rights, prompting calls for intervention from government officials. This situation highlights the ongoing struggles faced by journalists in India and the potential consequences of political actions on civil liberties.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 30, 2026, 19:32 IST

Concerns Over Passport Denial for Journalist R Rajagopal

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal visited Kolkata to meet senior journalist R Rajagopal, whose passport renewal was reportedly denied after his name was removed from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.

Venugopal criticized this action as an example of 'vendetta politics,' asserting that Rajagopal is being targeted for his fearless journalism. He warned that this sets a troubling precedent, where individuals are first excluded from electoral rolls and subsequently stripped of their citizenship rights by denying essential documents. He also highlighted that vulnerable PDS beneficiaries face similar injustices, as their removal from electoral rolls results in the loss of ration benefits from the West Bengal government.

The Congress leader emphasized that Rajagopal is a law-abiding citizen and that the refusal to renew his passport contradicts the Constitution of India.

In his social media post, Venugopal shared a photo from their meeting, describing Rajagopal's experience as a 'terrible ordeal' stemming from the 'unconstitutional' SIR process that has led to the denial of his passport renewal.

Rajagopal has been listed on the electoral rolls in Kolkata since 2010, but due to a minor error in his 10th-grade marksheet, his name was removed during the SIR, which used 2002 as the base year.

Despite having held a passport since 2005 and renewing it in 2015, the authorities rejected his renewal application while his appeal against the exclusion is still pending.

Venugopal alleged that the police summoned Rajagopal to their station, requested his voter ID, and subsequently withheld his passport renewal without conducting a home visit.

He pointed out the disparity in treatment, noting that BJP-affiliated candidates like Parimal Nathwani escape scrutiny for significant errors in their election affidavits, while ordinary citizens like Rajagopal are penalized for minor mistakes.

CPI-M MP John Brittas has called for External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene, highlighting the broader constitutional implications of denying passport renewals based on electoral roll exclusions during the ongoing SIR in West Bengal. In a letter to Jaishankar, Brittas referenced Rajagopal's situation.