From voter list to passport: DUJ warns of growing documentation crisis

By A Representative 

The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) has expressed concern over what it describes as a growing pattern of arbitrary administrative action affecting journalists, following the restoration of senior journalist and author Samrat Choudhury's passport by the Kolkata Passport Office.

In a press release, the DUJ welcomed the return of Choudhury's passport on July 10. According to the union, Choudhury had earlier been directed to surrender his passport after an adverse police verification report. The DUJ said the decision was surprising, noting that Choudhury is a well-known journalist from West Bengal with no criminal record. After complying with the order, he appealed the decision. The passport was eventually returned after the issue received widespread media attention and drew protests from journalist organisations.

The DUJ linked Choudhury's case with that of veteran journalist and former The Telegraph editor R. Rajagopal, whose name was reportedly removed from the electoral roll, leading to delays in the renewal of his passport. The union said Rajagopal was unable to travel to the United States to attend his daughter's wedding before the matter was resolved following public attention.

The journalists' body argued that these incidents should not be viewed in isolation. It claimed they were connected to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that individuals whose names are removed from voter lists may face difficulties in obtaining official documents, including passports.

The DUJ also raised broader concerns about the lack of clarity regarding documents that establish Indian citizenship. It noted that debates have emerged over whether passports constitute proof of citizenship, while other government-issued documents such as Aadhaar, PAN cards and voter identity cards have also faced scrutiny in legal and administrative contexts.

The organisation said the situation has created uncertainty among many citizens, who are now searching for decades-old records to establish their identity and citizenship. It added that inconsistencies in government records, including spelling errors, incorrect photographs and outdated personal details, could further complicate the verification process. The DUJ also highlighted concerns raised by women's organisations that married women may face additional challenges because of changes in surnames and addresses after marriage.

According to the DUJ, around 60 million names have been deleted from electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories since the SIR exercise began in November 2025. The union said the revision process is now underway in 19 additional states and Union Territories and expressed concern that it could exclude millions of eligible citizens from official records.

The DUJ urged authorities to ensure transparency, fairness and due process in identity verification and documentation procedures, warning that administrative errors should not result in the denial of fundamental rights or official documents.