French journalist Sébastien Farcis has been compelled to leave India after the Indian authorities denied the renewal of his work permit. Farcis, who has worked as a correspondent in India for 13 years, described the decision as an act of 'incomprehensible censorship.' He is the third foreign journalist to leave India this year due to similar circumstances. The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs did not provide a reason for the denial. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Farcis, an OCI card holder, requires permission to carry out journalistic assignments and had re-applied for renewal in May 2024. Farcis was also forbidden from covering the Lok Sabha Elections. However, the Indian government has denied claims that he was forced to leave. The incident is seen as another blow to press freedom in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
I will cherish that brief conversation we once had, @sebfarcis. What does it say about us as a country when we use the visa process to suppress journalists? https://t.co/HWg3pLIDXt
French journalist #SebastienFarcis’ claims that he was ‘forced to leave’ India are incorrect, the external affairs ministry spokesperson said during the ministry’s weekly press conference #FrenchJournalist #Viralpost #trendingnow https://t.co/vqDAC6p1VA https://t.co/0B9TkN1Wnf
India denies Delhi-based French journalist's 'forced to leave' country claim https://t.co/XtufDfSgvj
India denies Delhi-based French journalist's 'forced to leave' country claim #India #France #Journalist https://t.co/rdHz3jsFpr
India Denies French Journalist's Claim That His Work Permit Not Renewed https://t.co/oSCANVecAU https://t.co/jvUtJl4Tnw
#WATCH | Delhi: On French journalist allegedly leaving the country because of expiry of visa, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "Sebastien Farcis is an OCI card holder. If you are an OCI card holder, you need permission or a work permit to carry on your journalistic… https://t.co/9xn5bCHUoS
"Farcis is an OCI card holder and under our regulations requires approval to carry out journalistic assignments. He has re-applied for renewal of work permit in May 2024.." MEA on French Journalist Sebastian Francis leaving India https://t.co/4AjNIClvZP
BIG NEWS 🚨 Anti Modi French Journalist Sebastien Farcis denied permit to work as a journalist in India after 13 years 🔥 🔥 He has finally left the country. He claimed that the presence of PM Modi at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony was against the secular fabric of the country… https://t.co/SaertpaWX4
A second French journalist, working in India since 2011, said he had been forced to leave the country after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied the renewal of his work permit without providing any reason. https://t.co/mGTatcEErq
A French journalist says India refused to renew his journalism permit and forced him to leave this week, making him the third journalist to leave India in 2024 (@eltafn / Bloomberg) https://t.co/eiZ1z68B8T https://t.co/n0Bi2fGT8A
India has allegedly refused to renew a French correspondent’s permit, making him the third journalist to leave India this year, in what’s seen as another blow to press freedom in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government https://t.co/sY7Ti8yVm6
#French journalist #SébastienFarcis claimed that he was “forced to leave” #India and forbidden from covering the #LokSabhaElections after the Union ministry of home affairs refused to renew his permit https://t.co/HQdagdt199
Full stops in India: French journalist @sebfarcis forced to leave country. He is the third foreign correspondent forced to leave in recent times because Indian govt (‘mother of democracy’) denied renewal of work permit. Censorship comes in many forms. https://t.co/dJgxbNRthp
A French journalist has left #India after more than 13 years because he was denied a work permit, a decision he called an act of “incomprehensible censorship.” https://t.co/iY7qQwSFZq
French journalist #SébastienFarcis, who has been working in India as a #SouthAsia correspondent for past 13 years, alleged that he was forced to return to #France after his journalist permit was denied renewal https://t.co/4A4OXENzuO
Veteran French journalist ‘pushed out’ of India by denial of work permit ➡️ https://t.co/lPc0HmZ300 https://t.co/Z7lQFApWan
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. https://t.co/m52Q4ABsRk