New Delhi, In a move that has stirred controversy and debate, Professor Nitasha Kaul, a Kashmiri Pandit academic based in the United Kingdom, was denied entry into India and deported upon her arrival at Bengaluru airport. Professor Kaul was invited to participate in the ‘Constitution and National Unity Convention – 2024’ organized by the Congress-led Karnataka government but faced an unexpected barrier from Indian immigration authorities.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the refusal to allow Professor Kaul entry into the country came without prior notice or explanation, despite her holding valid travel documents, including a UK passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. Professor Kaul shared her dismay over social media, emphasizing her invitation by the Karnataka government to speak on democratic and constitutional values at the convention.

The incident has not only raised questions about the freedom of academic discourse in India but also highlighted the political tensions between the Congress-ruled state government of Karnataka and the central government. Professor Kaul suggested that her criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing, Hindu nationalist organization, might have influenced the decision to deny her entry.

The response from the Karnataka BJP was swift and critical, branding Professor Kaul as an “anti-India element” and accusing her of being sympathetic to Pakistani views and critical of Indian political ideologies. The BJP’s criticism extended to the Karnataka government for inviting someone they deemed detrimental to India’s unity and integrity.

This incident has sparked a broader discussion on the treatment of scholars and intellectuals who critique certain political ideologies, raising concerns about the state of academic freedom and freedom of speech in India. The controversy surrounding Professor Kaul’s deportation highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and the protection of democratic values and free expression.

As the story unfolds, the academic community and political observers are closely watching the implications of this incident for international scholars visiting India and the ongoing debate over freedom of expression and academic freedom in the country.