Overeseas citizen of india: Dr. Nitasha Kaul, Professor and educationist at London -based Westminster University, has recently claimed that the Government of India has canceled his Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card. Dr. Nitasha is considered a critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the cancellation of OCI, he has made serious allegations against the Government of India. In a post, he has said that preventing access to the country and family outside India is a matter related to the violation of freedom to speak in India.

After the cancellation of Dr. Nitasha Kaul’s OCI, many people want to know about it. In such a situation, let us tell you what is OCI? Who get this people? How it is different from dual citizenship and how many people have been canceled in 2024.

What is OCI?

OCI means Overseas Citizen of India. This is such a facility provided by the Government of India, which is given to Indian people settled abroad and taking citizenship there. The biggest objective behind this facility is that there is no provision of dual citizenship in India. In such a situation, OCI cards are issued by the government to the Indians who have taken citizenship of abroad, under which they are given many facilities.

These facilities are available

• The OCI card holder gets a visa to come to India, which is always valid. OCI card holders can come to India any number of times.
• With the permission of the government, you can also do work like research or journalism in the country.
• In historical places, much fees are not charged for visiting like foreign nationals.

These rights are not available

• The OCI card holder cannot vote in India’s election nor can it claim in elections.
• Can not come to any government post.
• A person taking OCI card cannot be selected for the constitutional post.
• Can not buy land for farming nor make property in sensitive areas.

How many OCIs canceled in 2024

According to media reports, in 2024, the Government of India canceled a large number of OCIs. Looking at the data, 57 OCIs were canceled last year. This is equal to about half of the total canceled OCI in the last 11 years. According to data released by the central government, between 2014 and 2023, the Central Government had canceled a total of 122 OCI registrations under Section 7D. However, in 2024, the maximum 57 registrations have been canceled. In 2025, 15 OCI registrations have been canceled till May 19.

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UK Professor Oic Cancel: There is a professor named Dr. Nitasha Kaul at Westminster University in London, who teaches about politics and international relations there. Dr. Kaul, a British citizen of Kashmir origin, works on democracy, human rights and South Asian politics. Recently, he shared parts of an official letter sent by the Government of India on the social media platform ‘X’ (East Twitter), in which his overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) has been reported to be canceled. In this, he has been attributed to speeches inspired by anti -India activities and maliciousness.

The dispute became even deeper when it was revealed that in February 2024 he was prevented from attending a conference in Bengaluru. After this, he wrote in his post that preventing access to the country and family of academics outside India is associated with the violation of freedom to speak in India.

Important Note – I received a cancellation of my #Oci (Overseas citizenship of #India) * Today * After Arriving Home. A bad faith, vindictive, cruel example of #TNR 6 #Modi Rule. pic.twitter.com/7L60klifrv

– Professor Nitasha Kaul, Phd (@Nitashakaul) May 18, 2025

The legal basis of OCI cancellation and the attitude of the Government of India
According to the Government of India, it has the right to cancel OCI under Article 7B and OCI Act 2005 of the Constitution. Under this, if a person works against or makes a statement against the Constitution, sovereignty or security of India, then his OCI can be canceled. In the case of Dr. Kaul, the government gave the following reasons, which is as follows.

• Anti -India talk on international forums
• Hostile materials on social media
• Criticism of constitutional institutions of India

An attempt has been made to contact the Indian High Commission in London, but no official reaction has been revealed so far.

According to the Government of India, Dr. Kaul’s comments are harming the image and sovereignty of the country. Especially when they question India’s internal affairs like Kashmir, democracy, human rights etc. on international forums. At the same time, Dr. Kaul and his supporters say that this step reflects a sense of revenge, political vengeance and sensorship of ideas.