UK Professor Nitasha Kaul's Overseas Citizenship of India cancelled
Academician decries move as "transnational repression"
London/New Delhi: Professor Nitasha Kaul, a London-based academic, announced on May 18, 2025, via a social media post that her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card has been cancelled by the Indian government. She described the move as a "bad faith, vindictive, cruel example of transnational repression" intended to punish her for her scholarly work critical of the Modi government's policies concerning minorities and democracy.
The cancellation follows an incident in February 2024 when Professor Kaul, who holds a British passport and held an OCI card, was denied entry into India upon arrival at Bengaluru airport. She had been invited by the then Congress-led Karnataka state government to speak at a conference on "The Constitution and Unity in India."
According to an image of the letter shared by Professor Kaul, the Indian government stated that it had been "brought to the notice of the Government of India that you have been found indulging in anti-India activities, motivated by malice and complete disregard for facts or history." The letter further accused her of regularly targeting India and its institutions on matters of India's sovereignty through "numerous inimical writings, speeches and journalistic activities at various international forums and on social media platforms."
Professor Kaul, who is a Professor of Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies and the Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) at the University of Westminster, London, vehemently rejects these accusations. She stated she had provided a 20,000-word response to what she termed the government's "ridiculous inanity about ‘anti-India’," but the OCI was cancelled through a "rigged process."
In her social media posts, Professor Kaul lamented the decision, questioning how the "mother of democracy" could deny her access to her mother in India. She characterized the action as stemming from "thin-skinned, petty insecurity with no respect for well-intentioned dissent."
The February 2024 denial of entry had already sparked controversy. At the time, immigration officials reportedly cited "orders from Delhi" without providing formal reasons, though Professor Kaul mentioned informal references to her past criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Ministry of External Affairs had then responded by stating that the entry of foreign nationals into India is a "sovereign decision." Unofficial government sources had indicated that a "preventive lookout circular" was issued against her due to her alleged "pro-separatist" and "anti-India" stance on Kashmir.
The BJP in Karnataka had criticised the state government for inviting her, labelling her an "anti-India element." Conversely, the then-Karnataka government and various international human rights organizations and academic bodies had condemned the denial of entry.
Professor Kaul has been an outspoken commentator on Indian politics, including the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and has testified before international bodies such as the US Congress on human rights in the region. She maintains her work is academic and pro-democracy, not anti-India.
The cancellation of her OCI card effectively bars her from entering India, a country to which she has personal and academic ties. This incident adds to a growing list of academics, journalists, and activists of Indian origin whose OCI status has been revoked or who have been denied entry to India in recent years, raising concerns about freedom of speech and dissent. Reports indicate that over 100 OCI cards were cancelled by the Indian government between 2014 and May 2023. Furthermore, in 2021, new rules were introduced requiring OCI cardholders to obtain special permission for activities such as research and journalism.
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Bearys Institute of Technology organizes Anti-Drug & Anti-Ragging Awareness Programme
Mangalore, 12 August 2025: The NSS Unit of Bearys Institute of Technology (BIT), Mangalore, organized an Anti-Drug and Anti-Ragging Awareness Programme on Tuesday, 12th August 2025, at Bearys Knowledge Campus (BKC), Mangalore. The programme was held under the theme “A Safe Mind. A Safe Campus. Say No to Ragging & Drugs,” aiming to spread awareness among students about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of maintaining a ragging-free campus environment.
The event began at 10:00 A.M. with an invocation, followed by the Master of Ceremony conducted by Dr. Mohamed Kafeel Delvi, NSS Programme Officer, BIT, who extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and participants.
The programme was presided over by Dr. S.I. Manjur Basha, Principal of BIT. In his Presidential Address, Dr. Basha delivered a powerful and motivating speech, stressing the collective responsibility of students, faculty, and the institution in building a safe, inclusive, and drug-free campus. He highlighted the role of education in shaping responsible citizens and urged students to uphold values such as integrity, mutual respect, and cooperation.
Puneet Gaonkar, PSI, Konaje Police Station, delivered an informative and impactful session. He spoke about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the serious consequences of ragging. He also explained the legal aspects and shared real-life cases to help students understand the gravity of these issues. He encouraged students to be vigilant and proactive in creating a safe campus.
Mr. Ramesh, from the Police Department, also addressed the gathering. His brief yet meaningful talk focused on the importance of discipline, legal awareness, and mutual respect among students.
The programme was attended by several dignitaries, including:
- Arch. Khalil Razzak Shaik, Principal, Bearys Enviro Architecture Design School (BEADS)
- Prof. Prithviraj M, Director, BIT Polytechnic
- Mustafa Khaleel, Anti-Ragging & Anti-Drug Coordinator
- Mr. Mohammed Gouse Asundi, Police Department
The programme concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Mohamed Kafeel Delvi, followed by the National Anthem.
