The Editors Guild of India has condemned the alleged denial of voting and passport renewal rights to R Rajagopal, a former editor for The Telegraph newspaper in Kolkata. Rajagopal stated that his passport renewal was hindered after his name was removed from the electoral roll in West Bengal as part of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The SIR aims to identify ineligible voters, but critics contend it has erroneously removed millions of eligible citizens, a claim the ECI refutes. The Editors Guild stated that Rajagopal's experience illustrates the difficulties faced by many Indians due to the SIR.
Rajagopal detailed in an article that despite residing in the Ballygunge constituency for over 25 years, his name was removed because his or his father's name could not be found in the 2002 electoral rolls, the last time a nationwide revision was conducted. The SIR process cross-references current voter records with these 2002 rolls.
He noted that his name was removed despite being a registered voter since 2010 and serving as editor of The Telegraph for seven years. Rajagopal alleges that no reason was provided for his exclusion, even after submitting his matriculation certificate, and his appeal is pending before a tribunal.
Authorities informed him that police verification for his passport renewal could not be completed because his name was no longer on the electoral roll. Rajagopal expressed surprise, as he could not find any official documentation listing a voter identity card as mandatory for passport renewal.
The ECI has not publicly addressed Rajagopal's specific allegations, and the BBC has sought comment from officials. Rajagopal remarked that if a well-known journalist faces such challenges, the situation for marginalized individuals is likely far worse.
Since the SIR began on November 4, 2025, approximately 60 million names have been removed from electoral rolls across 12 states and federal territories, with about nine million removals in West Bengal alone. Rajagopal is among thousands who have filed appeals.
Rajagopal's case has gained traction on social media, with journalists and opposition figures expressing solidarity. Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai shared his support, calling the situation potentially applicable to anyone. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate suggested Rajagopal might be facing repercussions for his journalism and pursuit of accountability. MA Baby, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), reiterated his party's prior warnings that the SIR exercise could disenfranchise vulnerable populations.