An Indian origin professor at the United Kingdom's University of Westminster has claimed that she was denied entry into India after she landed at Bengaluru airport and was later deported. Nitasha Kaul, a Kashmiri Pandit academic based in London, posted a series of posts on social media platform X saying she was invited to attend an event by the Karnataka Government but after her landing at Bengaluru airport she was denied entry into the country.
She said that the immigration officers at Bengaluru gave her no reason and that she received no notice or information in advance from the Indian government that she would not be allowed to enter the country.
Sharing pictures of the invitation extended to her by the Karnataka government and other conference-related communications, she stated: 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)."
"I was given no reason by immigration except ‘we cannot do anything, orders from Delhi’. My travel & logistics had been arranged by Karnataka & I had the official letter with me. I received no notice or info in advance from Delhi that I would not be allowed to enter," said Kaul whose social media bio states that she is a novelist, writer and poet, among other things.
According to a PTI report there was no immediate comment by the Karnataka Government which had organised a two-day 'Constitution and National Unity Convention -2024' on February 24 and 25, where Kaul was invited as a speaker.
The academician also said that the authorities unofficially indicated that she was being denied entry because of her criticism towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the past.
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She also described her ordeal at the airport where she was confined in a holding cell for 24 hours "under direct cctv w restricted movement, a narrow area to lie down" and "no easy access to food and water."
"Made dozens of calls to airport for basic things as a pillow and blanket, which they refused to provide, then 12 hours on the flight back to London," said Kaul.
The Karnataka BJP was quick to react to the incident labelling the professor as an "anti-India element" and a part of what it called a 'Break India Brigade'. It also targetted the Karnataka Government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for extending an invitation to Kaul.
The saffron party also labelled her as "Pakistani sympathiser" and posted headings of a couple of her writings on X.