Sebastian Francis: Delhi Based Journalist Forced to Leave India "without reasons"

Sebastian Francis claimed that despite working as a French correspondent journalist in India for 13 years, the MHA refused to renew his journalism permit, so he had to leave India immediately.

However, on this issue, MHA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal claimed that Francis' application is "Under Consideration". People are talking about Francis playing the "Victim Card", even some people are calling Francis as "anti-Indian". 

Delhi Based Journalist Sebastian Francis claimed that he was "Forced" to leave India

Sébastien Francis is a Delhi based French journalist who recently confirmed that the Indian authorities had asked him to leave India. Sébastien Francis who worked as a journalist in India for 13 years, Francis has been working in India since 2011. 

The reason for not giving permission to Francis is not definitely the documents because Francis also confirmed that he has all the required visas and accreditations. He marked on platform X. 

"After 13 years covering India for @RFI, @radiofrance and @libe, the Indian authorities refused to renew my work permit. So I was forced to leave the country. My press release below." 

In Response to this MHA Spokesperson Randir Jaiswal Marked, 

“Mr Francis 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, and to the best of my knowledge, his case is under consideration. He has the right to make a decision as far as his travel out of the country is concerned,"

Via Platform X Francis shared his story,

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

 

Francis says that he was asked to leave his country "India" without any solid reason. While talking about his Indian relations, Francis told that he is married to an Indian woman who also has the status of Oversea Citizen of India (OCI). 

“On June 17, I was forced to leave India, a country where I had lived and worked as a journalist for 13 years, as a South Asia correspondent for Radio France Internationale, Radio France, Liberation and the Swiss and Belgian public radios,"

MHA "Preventing" Francis to do his Job 

He further claimed that 3 months ago Ministry of Home Affairs India denied to Renew his Journalist Permit, Which "Preventing" Francis to practicing his Profession. 

“I have respected the regulations imposed in India for foreign journalists and never worked in restricted or protected areas without a permit. On several occasions, the MHA even granted me permits to report from border areas."

French Journalist Francis also said that not only he but his family was also Forced to leave India without any solid reason. 

"Big Shocking" for French Journalist Sebastian Francis

“This work ban comes as a big shock: it was communicated to me on the eve of the Indian general elections, the largest democratic elections in the world, which I was hence forbidden to cover. This appeared to me as an incomprehensible censorship," the statement read.

"I am married to an Indian woman, and I have the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. I am therefore deeply attached to India, which has become my second homeland," 

"Deeply Attcted to India" marked Francis 

"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.”

After Vanessa Dougnac, Sébastien Francis is the second French Journalist who was forced to leave India and ultimately both of them had to leave India. Within just 2 years, 5 OCI Foreign Correspondents were banned from working as journalists, Francis marked in a Statement on platform X.

People saying that Francis is "anti-Indian" and he is playing "Victim Card" 

On this incident that happened with Francis, some people are blaming MHA while some people are saying that he is playing the "Victim Card". As soon as this news of Francis started to get the "spotlight" in India, Indians are showing quite active response on this post and are sharing their different opinions.

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What people are Actually Saying in the comment Box ? 

"Visa isn't a right, it is a privilege. Don't play the victim card after your Anti India narrative has finally caught up to you. Go back to France and continue your Anti India campaign, we don't care." Marked arun pudur. Another Commented,

"Your timeline looks like opposition spokesperson..good riddance 

Thanks @HMOIndia" 

"You come to our country and try to sow seeds of hatred, division and violence. You dishonor our country and our hospitality. Finally, the Indian government is waking up from its slumber. Good move. Ban these white supremacists from entering our country ever again." Economist Abhinav Khare Tweeted on the post. Third user marked, 

"Since you were working as a "South Asia" correspondent, surely, you can work from other countries in "South Asia" no? Pakistan, Bangladesh etc?" 

"If you're that attached to India you could have relinquished your French citizenship and become a full fledged Indian no?" Fourth commented. 

"Just checked your timeline. You seem to be working for the Opposition party in India, so being a non Indian, you were Interfering in our election process. Good decision by @HMOIndia. Now get out of India and publish as much as you want about Anti India stuff. Good riddance." Marked Another. 

"This statement itself is proof that you are engaging in politics and pursuing an agenda rather than practicing journalism. India has no obligation to provide you with a job or income; that responsibility lies with your country or your employer. They can assign you to another country in this vast world." CA Ashwin Nagar marked.