Veteran French journalist Sébastien Farcis, known for his contributions to Radio France Internationale and Libération as the India correspondent, has found himself embroiled in a controversy surrounding his abrupt departure from the country. Farcis, holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status like his counterparts, Vanessa Dougnac and Avani Dias, recently alleged that he was compelled to exit India due to authorities refusal to renew his journalist permit.Citing a statement released on X, Farcis lamented his departure from India on June 17, where he had established a career spanning 13 years. He voiced his dismay at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decision on March 7, which effectively barred him from practicing journalism and deprived him of his primary source of income.In his statement, Farcis emphasised his adherence to all visa regulations and journalistic protocols during his tenure in India. He asserted that he had never ventured into restricted areas without proper permits and had consistently complied with the stipulated guidelines for foreign journalists.Moreover, Farcis highlighted the MHAs previous approvals for his reporting assignments in border regions, underscoring his track record of responsible journalism. However, he expressed bewilderment and disappointment at the sudden denial of his permit renewal, particularly on the eve of Indias general elections, an event he was keen on covering.The development has reignited discussions on the challenges faced by foreign journalists in navigating Indias bureaucratic landscape and the implications of such permit refusals on press freedom and journalistic independence.
