French journalist says forced to leave India amid visa denial
New Delhi: Sébastien Farcis, a French journalist, has reported that he was compelled to leave India following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to deny the renewal of his journalist visa. Farcis, who served as the India correspondent for Radio France Internationale and Libération, expressed his dismay over the unexplained work ban.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Sébastien Farcis said, “I was forced to leave India on June 17, a country where I have lived and worked for 13 years as a South Asia correspondent for several international media outlets.”
He detailed how, three months prior on March 7, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) refused to renew his journalist permit. Despite his efforts to seek clarification and appeal the decision, he received no justification for the ban, which has left him without income and the ability to continue his work.
Farcis, who has been reporting from India since 2011, noted that he had always complied with Indian regulations for foreign journalists, securing the necessary visas and accreditations. “I have adhered to all regulations and have never reported from restricted areas without proper permits. The MHA has even granted me permits to report from border regions on multiple occasions,” he said.
Sébastien Farcis is not alone in facing difficulties as a foreign journalist in India. In recent years, several other journalists have also encountered significant hurdles, leading to their expulsion or departure from the country.
