Sébastien Farcis, a French journalist based in New Delhi for the past 13 years, has been compelled to return to France after his journalist permit was refused renewal by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of India. This decision, according to Farcis, came without explanation despite his adherence to all regulatory requirements for foreign journalists in India.
Farcis, known for his work with Radio France Internationale, Radio France, Libration and the Swiss and Belgian public radios., expressed deep disappointment and termed the denial of his permit as “incomprehensible censorship.” He stated that his appeals for clarification and reconsideration went unanswered, leaving him without the ability to practice his profession and support his family.
“After 13 years working as a correspondent in India, the authorities have denied me a permit to work as a journalist. I have thus been forced to leave the country,” Sébastien Farcis post on X.
“Three months ago, on 7th March, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied the renewal of my journalist permit, preventing me from practising my profession and depriving me of all my income. No reason has been provided to justify this work ban, despite formal and repeated requests made to the MHA. I have tried to appeal also, but to no avail so far,” he added.
After 13 years working as a correspondent in India, the authorities have denied me a permit to work as a journalist. I have thus been forced to leave the country.
Here is my statement. pic.twitter.com/m52Q4ABsRk— Sébastien Farcis (@sebfarcis) June 20, 2024
In addition to his journalistic contributions, Farcis highlighted his personal ties to India, including marriage to an Indian citizen and holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. These connections, he emphasized, made India a second home for him and his family.
“I am therefore deeply attached to India, which has become my second homeland. But with no more work nor income, my family has been pushed out of India without explanation, and uprooted overnight for no apparent reason.” he stated
The timing of the permit denial, just before the Lok Sabha elections, prevented Farcis from covering the event, further impacting his livelihood and professional standing. He pointed out that despite previous permissions to report from sensitive border areas, the sudden ban on his work came as a shock.
This incident is not an isolated case among French journalists in India. Earlier this year, Vanessa Dougnac, another seasoned correspondent, faced similar challenges when her OCI card was reportedly revoked due to concerns over her work’s perceived bias.
In response to the situation, Farcis and his employers, including Libération and Radio France, sought official explanations from the Indian authorities, but these efforts have so far yielded no response beyond promises to escalate the matter internally.
Farcis concluded by expressing hope for a resolution that would allow him to return to his work in India, pending the acceptance of his new permit application. Until then, he remains in France, reflecting on the abrupt disruption caused to his career and personal life by what he views as unjustified restrictions on foreign journalists operating in India.
