Indian Government Revokes Professor Nitasha Kaul’s Overseas Citizenship

New Delhi/London — May 20, 2025

In a move drawing widespread condemnation from human rights advocates and academics around the world, the Indian government has officially revoked the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status of Professor Nitasha Kaul, a prominent academic, author, and vocal advocate for human rights. The decision effectively bars her from entering her country of origin.

In a formal notice issued today, the Indian government accused Professor Kaul of engaging in what it termed “anti-India activities,” describing her work as “malicious” and “a complete distortion of history and facts.” The notice cited her speeches, writings, and journalistic engagements on international platforms and social media as attempts to undermine India’s sovereignty and its institutions.

Professor Kaul, who hails from a Kashmiri Pandit family, is currently based in the United Kingdom, where she serves as a professor at the University of Westminster and Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy. Internationally recognized for her research on nationalism, identity, democracy, and the Kashmir conflict, she has been an outspoken critic of the Indian government’s policies, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She has previously testified before the U.S. Congress, highlighting the deteriorating human rights situation and political repression in Kashmir. Her critique of what she describes as an increasing authoritarianism and erosion of democratic freedoms in India has made her a significant voice among the Indian diaspora and global academic circles.

Reacting to the revocation of her OCI status on social media platform X, Professor Kaul denounced the move as “malicious, retaliatory, and an example of cruel transnational repression (TNR).” She emphasized that this action is a punishment for her academic work, which challenges the Modi government’s treatment of minorities and undemocratic policies.

Despite holding an OCI card, Professor Kaul had already faced de facto exile in recent years. Indian authorities denied her entry on multiple occasions, including one incident when they turned her away at the airport as she attempted to attend an academic conference.

Observers see this action as part of a broader trend by the Modi government to suppress dissent, particularly targeting Indian-origin intellectuals and activists abroad who criticize state actions on human rights and democratic norms.

Revoking Professor Kaul’s OCI status, critics argue, sends a chilling message to academics and dissenters: that the Indian state will not tolerate intellectual critique or public scrutiny, even from those living outside its borders.

“This is a deeply troubling development,” said a fellow academic who wished to remain anonymous. “Silencing academics doesn’t erase the truth—it only exposes the deep insecurity of a government that cannot tolerate scrutiny.”

As the international academic and human rights communities rally to support Professor Kaul, questions are being raised about the shrinking space for free thought and democratic expression in the world’s largest democracy.