Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist Denied Entry Into India

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Cathal McNaughton, a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, was denied entry into India, today. Mr. McNaughton was sent back from the New Delhi Airport for violating visa rules.

Cathal McNaughton, an Irish national, is the chief photographer at the Delhi office of Reuters, a news agency. McNaughton won the Pulitzer Prize in May 2018. He returned to India, today, after completing a foreign trip.

Mr. McNaughton allegedly violated the visa rules by entering the restricted areas of Jammu and Kashmir without any official permission.

A Ministry of Home Affairs official said, “All foreigners have to respect the Indian laws and those found in violation are liable to be punished. However, that does not mean they are blacklisted forever.”

The official further said, “Everybody has to follow 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.”

Speaking about the actions of Mr. McNaughton, the official added, “He may be a winner of some awards, but that does not give him the licence to violate Indian laws. 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.”

India gives visas to foreign journalists for 3 months, though in rare cases, the duration can extend up to 6 months.

According to the visa rules, any foreign journalist, TV person and/or India based foreign journalist requires a special permission from higher authorities and the Ministry of External Affairs (External Publicity Division.)

The action against Cathal McNaughton can be reviewed after 6 months or a year.

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