How India is weaponising immigration control to silence its diaspora

"Professor Nitasha Kaul, an academic specialising in politics and international relations at the University of Westminster, has been in the United Kingdom since she came to the University of Hull for postgraduate study in 1997. In the years since, she has published several books and more than 150 articles on topics like democracy, right-wing politics, Indian politics and Kashmir. A British citizen, Kaul retained her connection to the country of her birth as an overseas citizen of India (OCI) until recently."

"Although the government is not breaking the law, its actions raise serious legal and human rights concerns. Its actions often blur the line between lawful revocation and punitive censorship. The revocations frequently lack transparency and procedural fairness thus risking violation of legal norms. Overall, this trend raises significant concerns about freedom of speech, proportionality and adherence to the rule of law."

Professor Nitasha Kaul, a UK-based academic specialising in politics and international relations, held Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) until May, when her OCI was summarily cancelled. The OCI grants a multiple-entry, lifelong visa and is held by more than four million people. Section 7D of the Citizenship Act 1955 permits OCI cancellation for fraud, disaffection towards the Constitution, communication with an enemy during war, imprisonment over two years, or if necessary for sovereignty, security, foreign relations, or general public interest. Government cancellations often blur lawful revocation and punitive censorship, lack transparency and procedural fairness, and raise concerns about freedom of speech, proportionality, and adherence to the rule of law. Domestic courts are resisting such government actions.

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