Normally, India grants visas to foreign Journalists for a period up to three months at a time. In certain cases if requested, a six-month journalist visa, with a single or double entry,may be issued. However such correspondents also require prior home ministry approval to film in restricted and protected areas such as border districts, defence installations and other places of strategic importance, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
According to visa rules for foreign journalists, including those already based in India, for any visit to a restricted or protected area or Jammu and Kashmir or the North Eastern States, must apply for a special permit through the Ministry of External Affairs. They require permission to travel to areas protected under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958. The areas are — all of Arunachal Pradesh, parts of Himachal Pradesh, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, parts of Rajasthan, all of Sikkim and parts of Uttarakhand. Certain islands of Andaman& Nicobar are also included. Recently a foolish American had illegally landed on one of the prohibited island and in bargain got himself killed. Of all the things he had gone with intent of spreading his religion !! He should have first tried to convert his fellow Americans many of whom follow religions other than that propagated by the Bible.
Now a Reuters journalist has been shooed away from entry into India for having violated Indian visa rules during his previous visits. On one hand the Canadians think that American laws are applicable all over the World and so jump up and arrest any one visiting Canada for suspected violation of American Laws. Whereas they are loath to teach their citizens not to violate laws of other countries and then act surprised and bewildered when Chinese too arrest some visiting Canadians for suspected violation of Chinese laws !!
Europeans or rather the one expelled from the Union too seem to act in a similar manner and have had even their Members of Parliament, unceremoniously thrown out of India. So no wonder, one McNaughton, a Reuter Correspondent based in UK, who last year won the so called Pulitzer Prize in May 2018,was turned back from Indira Gandhi International Airport. Last time, this Irish National had travelled to restricted and protected areas in Jammu and Kashmir without due permission from the Govt of India. He had also filed reports from the state without valid permission.
In fact the action against Cathal McNaughton, chief photographer at the Reuter agency’s Delhi office, has been very lenient. Instead of just being sent back from the airport at New Delhi after his arrival from an overseas trip, he should have been arrested and put behind bars, till being produced before a Magistrate.
This character McNaughton, even had the guts to write on Instagram three days ago, “2018 has been interesting. From winning the Pulitzer to being denied entry back into India. The frigid cold of the Pyeonchang Winter Olympics to the stifling heat of the Asian Games in Jakarta… Over the next few days I’ll be sharing some highlights and lowlights.” He should just thank his stars that his lowlight was not in Tihar.
All foreigners have to respect Indian law and those found in violation must be given appropriate punished as per law. In fact for wilful violations they must be blacklisted for a certain period if not permanently.
“Everybody has to follow the law. For violation, the consequence is the same for everybody. Foreigners should respect Indian law. If any Indian visits abroad and violates the law of that country, he or she is also liable to be punished,” the official said.
He may be a winner of any damn awards including the American Presidential Medal of Freedom or the British Most Nobel Order of the Garter but that does not give him the licence to violate Indian laws. The visitor must follow the Visa regulations. The ministry of external affairs regularly informs foreign journalists about Indian rules and regulations. And in certain places, a foreigner is required to take permission. If you violate these rules and regulations, we are bound to take action.
