Key facts
- Former editor R Rajagopal's passport renewal was held up after his name was removed from the electoral roll in West Bengal.
- The removal occurred during the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
- The Editors Guild of India condemned the action, stating it highlights the difficulties faced by millions of Indians.
- Rajagopal alleges his name was removed despite living in Kolkata for over 25 years and submitting documentation.
- Journalists and opposition leaders have expressed solidarity with Rajagopal, calling the situation "scary" and a potential consequence of his journalism.
India's Editors Guild has condemned the alleged denial of voting and passport rights to prominent editor R Rajagopal, who claims his passport renewal was obstructed after his name was removed from the electoral roll in West Bengal. The removal occurred during the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, an exercise critics argue has wrongly disenfranchised millions.
Rajagopal, who served as editor of The Telegraph newspaper from 2016 to 2023, stated in an article that his name was removed from the electoral roll in his Kolkata constituency despite residing there for over 25 years. He alleged that authorities informed him police verification for his passport renewal could not be completed because his name was no longer on the electoral roll, a requirement he questioned.
The Editors Guild stated that Rajagopal's case "highlights the misery that millions of Indians are being put through" by the SIR exercise, suggesting that if an influential figure faces such difficulties, the plight of ordinary citizens is likely far worse. The ECI has not publicly responded to the specific allegations regarding Rajagopal. Approximately nine million names were removed from electoral rolls in West Bengal alone as part of the SIR exercise, which began on November 4, 2025, and has seen about 60 million names removed nationwide.
Rajagopal's situation has garnered significant attention on social media, with journalists and opposition leaders expressing support. Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai called the situation "scary," while Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate alleged it was a consequence of Rajagopal's journalism. MA Baby of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) reiterated his party's warning that the SIR exercise would disenfranchise vulnerable sections of society.