On May 18, 2025, Nitasha Kaul, a British-Indian academic and writer, shared on social media that her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status was revoked by the Indian government. This news brought her into the spotlight again. Nitasha Kaul is a well-known professor, novelist, poet, and activist. She is admired for her bold ideas and strong voice. Her life story is inspiring, and her work covers many topics like politics, human rights, and Kashmir. This article tells her story in simple words for everyone to understand.
Early Life and Family
Nitasha Kaul was born on November 30, 1976, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. She comes from a Kashmiri Pandit family. Her family originally lived in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in a place called Downtown Mohalla. They moved to Gorakhpur before Nitasha was born. Soon after her birth, her family shifted to New Delhi. She grew up in Delhi, a busy city full of culture and history. Her childhood was simple but filled with learning. Her mother was a retired Hindi teacher who loved going to temples. Nitasha has spoken fondly of her mother, who faced challenges because of Nitasha’s work.
Nitasha went to St. Thomas’ School in New Delhi. She was a bright student. She loved reading and asking questions. Her curious mind helped her excel in studies. After school, she joined Sri Ram College of Commerce, a famous college under the University of Delhi. She studied Economics and earned a Bachelor’s degree. This was her first step toward a great academic career.
Nitasha Kaul Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Oci, Husband, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nitasha Kaul |
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Ethnicity | Kashmiri Pandit |
| Current Residence | London, United Kingdom |
| Education | - BA (Hons) in Economics, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University - Masters in Economics (Public Policy), University of Hull, UK - Joint PhD in Economics and Philosophy, University of Hull, 2003 |
| Occupation | Academic, Novelist, Poet, Economist, Artist |
| Current Position | Professor of Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies; Director, Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster, UK |
| Previous Positions | - Lecturer of Economics, University of Bath (2002–2007) - Assistant Professor of Economics, Bristol Business School (2002–2007) - Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan (2010) - Visiting Lecturer/Assistant Professor, University of Westminster (2012–2015) |
| Notable Works | - Imagining Economics Otherwise: Encounters with Identity/Difference (Routledge, 2007) - Residue (Rupa, 2014), shortlisted for Man Asian Literary Prize - Future Tense (HarperCollins India, 2020) - Can You Hear Kashmiri Women Speak? - Over 150 publications on democracy, political economy, Kashmir, Bhutan, and more |
| Research Focus | Political economy, nationalism, Hindutva, Kashmir, Bhutan, gender, postcolonial critiques, democracy |
| Key Contributions | - Testified at US House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Kashmir human rights, 2019 - Co-edited Women and Kashmir special issue, Economic and Political Weekly - Extensive work on Bhutan’s geopolitics and democracy |
| Controversies | - Denied entry to India at Bengaluru Airport, February 2024, allegedly due to criticism of Indian policies - Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status canceled in May 2025 for "anti-India activities" - Criticized for alleged anti-India sentiments and association with controversial figures |
| Awards and Fellowships | - Multiple research grants and awards - Visiting Fellowship, Australian National University (2009) - Visiting Fellowship, Central University of Hyderabad (2010) |
| Personal Details | - Single, no children - Cat lover, often shares pictures with cats - Moved to New Delhi as a child, then to London at age 21 in 1997 |
| Notable Public Engagements | - Speaker at Lahore Literary Festival, 2020 - Lectures on Kashmir, Bhutan, and gender globally - Participant in anti-India events, per some sources |
Moving to England
In 1997, when Nitasha was 21, she left India to study further. She moved to England and joined the University of Hull. There, she did a Master’s degree in Economics, focusing on public policy. She wanted to learn more about how economies work and how policies affect people. Her hard work did not stop there. In 2003, she completed her PhD in Economics and Philosophy at the same university. Her PhD thesis was called “Interrogating the Subject-World of Economic Epistemology: Re-Imagining Theory and Difference.” It was a big achievement. This work showed her ability to think deeply about complex ideas.
Academic Career
Nitasha Kaul’s career as a teacher and scholar is impressive. She started teaching Economics at the University of Bath in England. From 2002 to 2007, she worked as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Bristol Business School. She was good at explaining difficult ideas in simple ways. In 2010, she took a unique step. She moved to Bhutan and became an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at Royal Thimphu College. This was special because she explored a new field—writing stories and poems.
Today, Nitasha is a Professor of Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Westminster in London. She is also the Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the same university. Her work focuses on big ideas like democracy, human rights, and nationalism. She writes about places like Bhutan, Kashmir, and Kerala. She also talks about issues like gender equality, technology, and artificial intelligence. Nitasha has written over 150 articles, books, and research papers. Her work is respected worldwide.
Writing And Books
Nitasha Kaul is not just a professor. She is also a talented writer and poet. Her first book, “Imagining Economics Otherwise: Encounters with Identity/Difference,” came out in 2007. It mixed economics with philosophy. It was a new way to look at how money and identity connect. In 2009, she wrote a novel called “Residue.” It was the first novel in English by a Kashmiri woman. The book was shortlisted for the 2009 Man Asian Literary Prize. It tells a story about identity, trauma, and life in Kashmir.
In 2020, she published another novel, “Future Tense,” with HarperCollins India. This book explored modern issues like politics and relationships. Nitasha also co-edited a book called “Can You Hear Kashmiri Women Speak? Narratives of Resistance and Resilience.” It shared stories of women in Kashmir. She also worked on “November Light: An Anthology of Creative Writing from Bhutan.” Her writing is powerful because it talks about real problems in a simple way.
Speaking Up for Kashmir
Nitasha Kaul is known for her strong views on Kashmir. She cares deeply about human rights and democracy. On October 22, 2019, she spoke at a United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing. The topic was human rights in Jammu and Kashmir after India removed its special status. Nitasha shared reports from the United Nations about problems in both Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. She talked about communication shutdowns and detentions in India. Her words were clear and brave. She said she does not represent India or Pakistan but speaks for the rights of Kashmiri people.
Her work on Kashmir has made some people angry. She has called Kashmir “occupied” in her writings, which upset some groups in India. She believes in speaking the truth, even if it is hard. This has led to both praise and criticism.
Challenges And Controversies
Nitasha’s bold ideas have caused problems for her. On February 25, 2024, she faced a big challenge. She was invited by the Karnataka government to speak at a conference called “Constitution and National Unity Convention.” She traveled from London to Bengaluru with a valid UK passport and OCI card. But when she reached Kempegowda International Airport, officials stopped her. They said she could not enter India because of “orders from Delhi.” Nitasha was kept in a holding cell for 24 hours with little food or water. She was then sent back to London. She said officials mentioned her criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist group, as a reason.
This incident caused a big debate. The Karnataka BJP called Nitasha a “Pakistani sympathizer” and “anti-India.” They said she was part of a group trying to harm India. The Congress party, which invited her, called the deportation unfair. They said it was an attack on free speech. Nitasha shared her story on social media. She said the experience was tough but made her stronger. She also faced online hate and threats. Some people spread false stories, saying she was married to a Pakistani or supported terrorism. Nitasha denied these claims. She said, “I am what authoritarians fear—a thinking woman.”
In May 2025, the Indian government canceled her OCI status. They said she was involved in “anti-India activities.” Nitasha called this a cruel act. She said it was punishment for her work on human rights and democracy. This news made many people talk about freedom of speech and how governments treat critics.
Personal Life
Nitasha Kaul lives in London. She is single and has no children, according to public information. She loves her work and stays private about her personal life. She has spoken about her mother, who lives in India. Nitasha said authorities once visited her mother’s home to scare her because of Nitasha’s work. This shows how her bold ideas affect her family too.
Her Beliefs and Impact
Nitasha Kaul believes in democracy, equality, and freedom. She speaks against unfair policies and supports women’s rights. Her work on Bhutan’s democracy and Kashmir’s struggles has opened new ideas for study. She has won many awards for her research and activism. People admire her for her courage. She writes in a way that makes big ideas easy to understand. Her books and speeches inspire students, writers, and activists.
Nitasha also uses social media to share her thoughts. Her Twitter account (@NitashaKaul) is active, and she posts about her work and challenges. She fights against hate and misinformation. She wants people to think critically and care about justice.
Conclusionn
Nitasha Kaul is a brilliant woman with a big heart. Born in India, she has made a name for herself in London. Her journey from a student in Delhi to a professor in the UK is inspiring. She writes books, teaches students, and speaks for those who have no voice. Her work on Kashmir and democracy has made her a target, but she never gives up. The cancellation of her OCI status in May 2025 shows how her ideas challenge powerful people. Yet, Nitasha remains strong. She calls herself a “thinking woman” who fights for what is right. Her story teaches us to be brave, speak the truth, and never stop learning.
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