We examine the identity of the 47-year-old British professor Nitasha Kaul, who wasn’t allowed to enter India despite possessing all required documents along with her biography and husband
On Sunday, February 25, Nitasha Kaul, a professor at the University of Westminster and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), asserted that authorities refused her entry into India due to her advocacy of democratic and constitutional values. Kaul explained that despite possessing valid documents and receiving an invitation from the Congress government in Karnataka to attend a conference, she was denied entry without prior notification.
Who is writer Nitasha Kaul as OCI Professor is denied entry into India, biography, age, husband, religion, education and nationality
Despite experiencing threats to her safety, Kaul asserted her expertise in participating in discussions about Hinduism and religion. Kaul expressed hesitance about returning to visit her mother and compared her situation to historical exiles who endured arbitrary exercises of power.
IMPORTANT: Denied entry to #India for speaking on democratic & constitutional values. I was invited to a conference as esteemed delegate by Govt of #Karnataka (Congress-ruled state) but Centre refused me entry. All my documents were valid & current (UK passport & OCI). THREAD 1/n pic.twitter.com/uv7lmWhs4k
— Professor Nitasha Kaul, PhD (@NitashaKaul) February 25, 2024
Who is Nitasha Kaul?
47 year old Nitasha Kaul, based in London, is a British academic, writer, and poet who actively engages in discussing various topics including political economy, Bhutan, Kashmir, nationalism in India, gender, and identity. Originally from Delhi, India, and raised in a Kashmiri Pandit Hindu family, Kaul attended St. Thomas School for her schooling. At the age of 21, she relocated to England in 1997 and holds British nationality now. Nothing is known about her marital status.
After completing her undergraduate studies in Economics at Sri Ram College of Commerce, she pursued her post-graduate degree at the University of Hull. In her career, Kaul held positions as a Lecturer of Economics at the University of Bath and as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the Bristol Business School from 2002 to 2007. Subsequently, Kaul started her stint as an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at the Royal Thimphu College in Bhutan in 2010.
Currently, she holds the position of Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the University of Westminster. Her scholarly interests revolve around feminist issues concerning Kashmiri women, the ascent of muscular neo-liberal nationalism in India, and an examination of right-wing politics in India.
Why Nitasha Kaul wasn’t allowed to enter India?
Kaul expressed concerns that her expression of views could endanger the world’s largest democracy. Further, she condemned the central government for preventing her from participating in a conference on the Constitution. During her detention at Bengaluru airport, immigration authorities referred to orders from Delhi without providing specific reasons, as Kaul recounted.
Additionally, Kaul pointed out the inadequate facilities she encountered during her detention. Known for her academic contributions and advocacy for liberal democratic values, Kaul reaffirmed her commitment to gender equity, sustainability, and civil liberties. She revealed that she had received threatening messages from right-wing groups and that her family had faced police actions due to her criticism of the RSS.
Kaul criticized the government’s actions against academics, journalists, activists, and writers, condemning it as a troubling trend of stifling dissent. She vowed to continue defending democracy and urged officials, media personnel, and academics to uphold freedom of expression. Despite the ordeal, she resolved to persevere, expressing frustration at the authorities’ petty and vindictive behavior.