British Kashmiri Professor Claims OCI Status Revoked by India Over Alleged Anti-India Activities

Nitasha Kaul, a British Kashmiri professor, has alleged that her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) was revoked by Indian authorities due to accusations of anti-India activities. She shared her experience on social media, highlighting the implications for academics speaking out against hate. This incident follows her previous deportation from India, where she was barred from attending a conference on constitutional rights. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the decision regarding foreign nationals' entry is a sovereign matter. This situation raises significant questions about academic freedom and the treatment of dissenting voices.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2025, 21:23 IST

Cancellation of OCI Status

A professor of International Relations at the University of Westminster in London, who hails from Kashmir, has reported that her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) has been revoked by Indian authorities. Nitasha Kaul made this announcement on social media, expressing her concerns regarding the cancellation.

Allegations of Anti-India Activities

Nitasha Kaul stated that her OCI status was annulled due to purported 'Anti-India activities.' She shared the official communication from the Indian government, which accused her of harboring 'malice and a complete disregard for history.'

Social Media Response

On the platform X, she remarked, 'The arrest of academics in India for opposing hate is closely linked to restricting access to the country and family for scholars abroad. This serves as a warning—do not challenge us domestically and do not analyze our actions for external audiences.'

Previous Deportation Incident

In 2024, Kaul claimed she was deported from India upon her arrival at Bengaluru airport. She had been invited by the Karnataka government to participate in a two-day conference focused on constitutional rights. She expressed her frustration on X, stating, 'I was denied entry to India for advocating democratic and constitutional values, despite being invited by the Karnataka government. All my travel documents were valid.'

Official Response from MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) commented on the situation, emphasizing that the entry of foreign nationals into India is a sovereign decision. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Kaul arrived in India on February 22 and reiterated the government's authority in such matters.