Kerala Chief Minister Addresses Suvendu Adhikari Regarding Delays in Passport Renewal for Former Editor Rajagopal – Telegraph India

Kerala Chief Minister Requests Intervention for Journalist’s Passport Renewal

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reached out to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari concerning the passport renewal issue of R. Rajagopal, a former editor of *The Telegraph*. Rajagopal alleges that his passport renewal is being delayed due to his name being removed from the electoral roll under the Statewide Initiative for Renewal (SIR) program implemented in West Bengal.

The Editors Guild of India has expressed concern over Rajagopals circumstances, condemning what they described as the denial of his voting and passport rights. The Guild emphasized the importance of these rights for journalists and the broader implications for freedom of the press.

R. Rajagopal has publicly stated that he feels “voteless and passportless” since the bureaucratic changes have affected his eligibility to vote and renew his passport. The SIR program, intended to update the electoral rolls, has led to the removal of numerous names, which has caused alarm among those affected.

This situation highlights the intersection of electoral policies and civil rights, with critics arguing that such removals can lead to increased disenfranchisement. The response from both Kerala and West Bengal authorities remains to be seen as discussions regarding these issues continue.

The Editors Guild has called for a review of the policies that may impact journalists rights and has urged for a transparent dialogue to address the implications of such initiatives on civil liberties.