‘It’s a sovereign decision’: MEA on denying entry to Indian-origin writer Nitasha Kaul

Addressing reporters, Jaiswal said, “This particular UK national came to India on 22nd Feb. As you know, the entry of foreign nationals into our country is a sovereign decision.”

Kaul posted messages about her ‘ordeal’ on arrival at the Bengaluru airport on social media on Sunday along with copies of the invite sent to her by Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa.

“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,” she said in a post on X.

IMPORTANT: 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). THREAD 1/n pic.twitter.com/uv7lmWhs4k

— Professor Nitasha Kaul, PhD (@NitashaKaul) February 25, 2024

After she landed in Bengaluru from London, Kaul alleged that she was made to wait at the immigration, was provided no information, and was kept in a holding cell with restricted movement for 24 hours.

Kaul said she was not informed by the Centre in advance that she would not be allowed to participate in the Convention.

The Karnataka BJP unit, meanwhile, accused the Congress government of disgracing the “Indian Constitution by inviting a Pakistani sympathiser who wants India’s break up.”