Journalist R Rajagopal’s passport renewal: Kerala CM VD Satheesan urges WB’s Adhikari to step in

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has written to his West Bengal counterpart Suvendu Adhikari seeking urgent intervention regarding the reported denial of a passport renewal to journalist R Rajagopal, citing an "adverse police verification" report from the Kolkata Police.

In a post on X, Satheesan stated, "I have written to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, requesting his urgent intervention in the reported denial of passport renewal to renowned journalist #RRajagopal. According to reports, his passport renewal has been held up following an adverse police verification report from the #Kolkata Police. I sincerely hope the matter is examined fairly and resolved."
 

In his correspondence with the West Bengal Chief Minister, Satheesan explained the rationale behind the negative report, claiming it stemmed from the removal of the journalist's name during the Special Intensive Revision process in the state.

"I understand that the adverse report is based on the deletion of his name from the electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). While the electoral issue is being dealt with through the appropriate appeal process, I am informed that the police report has had the effect of delaying the renewal of his passport," the letter noted.

Highlighting Rajagopal's professional credentials, Satheesan wrote, "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 requested Adhikari to review the matter as a priority.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also commented on the situation in a post on X, alleging a deeper conspiracy behind the ordeal.
 

"...He has paid a high price for his brave journalism and for demanding accountability. He was denied the right to vote, after his name was deleted during the flawed SIR in West Bengal. His passport could not be renewed. He missed his daughter's wedding in the US despite a valid 10-year American visa. A journalist is now being harassed to prove his own identity simply for doing real journalism - while India's mainstream media bends more and cheers louder for the regime," she said.

The former editor of The Telegraph alleged that his name was removed from the voter rolls during the SIR exercise conducted in March, on the grounds that the Election Commission of India could not locate his or his late father's details in the historical records.

"In March this year, my name was deleted from the Ballygunge constituency electoral roll in Kolkata, apparently because the Special Intensive Revision process could not trace either my name or that of my late father in the 2002 voters' list. My father, a Gandhian, retired professor and former State Secretary of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Kerala, passed away in 2016. I remain unable to understand how a conscientious voter like him could have been absent from the rolls," wrote R Rajagopal in a public note.

ANI