Nitasha Kaul, a British-Kashmiri academic, poet, novelist, and political commentator, has recently come into the spotlight after her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status was revoked by Indian authorities. The government cited her alleged “anti-India activities” as the reason for the decision.
Kaul, who was born in India and resides in London, has been a vocal critic of several Indian government policies and has taken part in discussions on issues concerning Kashmir, democratic governance, and civil liberties in India.
Her removal from the OCI list has drawn global attention, with critics questioning whether dissenting views are being unfairly categorized as subversive. But who exactly is Nitasha Kaul? What has her journey been like, and why has she become a controversial figure in the geopolitical landscape between India and the diaspora?
Academic and Professional Background
Nitasha Kaul has built a robust academic profile over the past two decades. Her education began in India, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) at the University of Delhi.
She later moved to the United Kingdom to pursue higher education, earning a Joint PhD in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Hull. This combination of economics with philosophical inquiry shaped her analytical and interdisciplinary approach to global political issues.
Nitasha Kaul’s academic career started as a Seminar Tutor and Lecturer in Economics at the University of Bath. From there, she moved on to teach at the University of the West of England in Bristol. Her intellectual journey also took her to Bhutan, where she held a creative writing position at the Royal Thimphu College.
Eventually, she transitioned into the field of Politics and International Relations, beginning as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Westminster. Over the years, she climbed the academic ladder and now serves as a Reader/Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the same institution.
Her involvement in research institutions is extensive. Between 2007 and 2015, Nitasha Kaul was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Democracy in London. She was named an Honorary Fellow at the University of Bristol in 2008 and later undertook visiting fellowships at the Australian National University in 2009 and the Central University of Hyderabad in 2010. In 2011, she contributed to scholarship on Bhutan through her fellowship at the Centre for Bhutan Studies.
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Nitasha Kaul’s academic work includes a focus on democracy, identity, nationalism, and the philosophical underpinnings of political systems. Her research has been supported by prestigious grants, including the British Academy/Leverhulme grant awarded in 2018 for her work on democracy in Bhutan.
This old video shows Real Face of self proclaimed "Globally respected intellectual" Nitasha Kaul spouting utter crар and Lies about RSS & BJP and on Kashmir. Her OCI has now been cancelled by the Indian Govt pic.twitter.com/0YAqCPOuw7
— Rosy (@rose_k01) May 19, 2025
Between 2019 and 2024, she also received multiple awards from the University of Westminster for her contributions to research and teaching. Additionally, she has served as a reviewer for international funding bodies like the European Research Council and UKRI and contributed to policy projects involving responsible AI and global security.
Literary Contributions and Political Voice
Apart from her academic roles, Nitasha Kaul is also a novelist and poet. Her debut novel, Residue, was shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2009—an impressive feat, particularly as the nomination occurred before the book was even published. The novel revolves around the lives of Kashmiris living outside of Kashmir, reflecting her deep personal and intellectual engagement with the region’s complex history and politics.
Nitasha Kaul’s writing often weaves personal identity with political critique. Being of Kashmiri origin, she has long been vocal about the human rights situation and political turmoil in the region. She has contributed essays, opinion pieces, and academic papers exploring the interplay between nationalism, identity, and governance in South Asia.
Her perspective is shaped by both her personal background and her academic training, offering a nuanced critique of power structures and state narratives. This political engagement has extended to public platforms and conferences.
Kaul frequently speaks at international forums, and her commentary often delves into issues such as the erosion of democratic norms, freedom of speech, and minority rights in India. She has criticized the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the abrogation of Article 370, and other measures that she perceives as contributing to the decline of democratic values in India.
While her supporters hail her as a courageous voice for justice and pluralism, her detractors accuse her of portraying India in a negative light on global platforms.
OCI Revocation and Denial of Entry
In February 2024, Nitasha Kaul was invited by the Karnataka state government to participate in a seminar discussing India’s Constitution and democratic principles. However, upon her arrival at the Bengaluru International Airport, she was denied entry and deported back to the United Kingdom. This incident marked the beginning of a more serious escalation in the Indian government’s response to her views.
Months later, Kaul announced via her social media account on X (formerly Twitter) that her OCI status had been officially revoked. According to her, the Indian authorities accused her of being “motivated by malice” and of “spreading disinformation” about the country’s sovereignty and institutions. The government reportedly concluded that her actions were not in line with the privileges and responsibilities that come with OCI status.
Nitasha Kaul expressed disappointment and concern over the move, suggesting it was an attempt to silence dissent and set a precedent against diaspora intellectuals who challenge official narratives.
The revocation of her OCI status effectively means she cannot travel to India, except under the limited permissions of a standard visa—if granted at all. It also severs her remaining formal ties to the country of her birth, an emotional and symbolic rupture that she lamented publicly.
This development has raised questions about the limits of academic freedom, especially for individuals of Indian origin living abroad. Critics argue that the Indian government’s decision reflects a narrowing space for dissent, even outside its borders. Supporters of the move claim that Kaul’s commentary often crosses into the realm of misinformation and propaganda, justifying the revocation.
The OCI revocation comes amid a broader context where several other overseas Indians, activists, and academics have faced visa denials, surveillance, or other forms of governmental scrutiny for their views. Kaul’s case is perhaps one of the most prominent due to her extensive academic and literary credentials and the international resonance of her story.
Nitasha Kaul’s story is emblematic of the complex intersection between identity, politics, and global diaspora dynamics. Her life journey from Uttar Pradesh to Srinagar, and then to international academic and literary circles, is marked by intellectual inquiry, political engagement, and personal courage. At the same time, her recent experiences underscore the increasingly contentious space between national sovereignty and global freedom of expression.
Whether one views her as a principled dissenter or a controversial critic, there is no denying that Nitasha Kaul has played a significant role in shaping conversations around Kashmir, democracy, and citizenship. Her loss of OCI status will likely continue to be debated in academic and diplomatic circles, serving as a potent symbol of the tensions that define the current moment in Indian and diaspora politics.