Journalist R Rajagopal gets renewed passport; Kerala CM welcomes move

Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday said senior journalist R Rajagopal has received his renewed passport, days after he sought the intervention of the West Bengal government regarding the matter.

In a Facebook post, Satheesan said Rajagopal himself had informed the Chief Minister’s Office that the passport had been issued.

The Chief Minister said he had stepped in after learning that the renewal had been denied earlier because the journalist’s name was not included in the electoral roll.

“When it came to my notice that his passport renewal had been denied because his name was not included in the electoral roll, I immediately wrote to the Chief Minister of West Bengal. The process for renewing the passport was initiated the very same day,” Satheesan said.

“I share the happiness of Rajagopal, one of the country’s distinguished journalists,” he added.

Rajagopal’s passport renewal had reportedly been delayed following an adverse police verification report, triggering criticism from political leaders and journalists across the country.

Earlier, in his correspondence with the West Bengal Chief Minister, Satheesan had explained to review the matter as a priority after highlighting Rajagopal’s professional credentials.

"Mr Rajagopal Ramadas is a renowned journalist who has been based in Kolkata for the past three decades. He has had a distinguished career in journalism spanning more than three decades, including serving as editor of The Telegraph. He is also the son of Professor V Ramadas, who served as state secretary of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Kerala and was widely respected for his public service."

Satheesan and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were among those who had strongly urged that the passport be renewed.
 

(With PTI inputs)