Francesca Orsini, a UK-based professor from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, was denied entry into India on Tuesday night. She arrived from Hong Kong at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, but was deported over alleged visa violations.
Orsini reportedly told a web portal that she had a valid visa, yet officials claimed she was on a tourist visa and had violated its conditions. “She had been placed on a blacklist since March 2025 for violation of visa conditions. This is a standard global practice that if a person is found violating visa conditions/they can be black-listed,” a person familiar with the matter told HT.
Who is Francesca Orsini?
Francesca Orsini is a renowned historian and a leading scholar of Hindi and Urdu literature. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Venice and a PhD from London. Currently, she is Professor Emerita of Hindi and South Asian Literature at SOAS, University of London.
Orsini is best known for her book The Hindi Public Sphere 1920-1940, Language and Literature in the Age of Nationalism. She last visited India in October 2024.
She studied Hindi at Venice University, followed by the Central Institute of Hindi in New Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, before joining SOAS. Her scholarship has greatly contributed to the understanding of Indian literature and culture globally.
Literary Community Criticizes Deportation
The deportation sparked strong reactions from India’s literary and academic circles. Historian Ramachandra Guha described Orsini as a “great scholar of Indian literature, whose work has richly illuminated our understanding of our own cultural heritage.” He added, “To deport her without reason is the mark of a government that is insecure, paranoid, and even stupid.”
Historian Mukul Kesavan criticized the government’s attitude, calling it “visceral hostility” toward scholars. He wrote on X, “A government ideologically committed to Hindi has banned Francesca Orsini. You can’t make this up.”
Independent publishing house Permanent Black, which has published Orsini’s work, also expressed concern. “Francesca Orsini’s scholarship has greatly enriched Hindi literary studies and the history of the book in India. She is a renowned scholar, published worldwide in English and in Hindi. She has just been denied entry into India, with no reason given,” the company said in a statement.
Unclear Purpose of Visit to India
Officials have not clarified the purpose of Orsini’s visit to India this time. Her deportation has raised questions about visa enforcement and the treatment of foreign scholars visiting the country.
Impact on Academic Relations
Orsini’s removal from India has sparked debates among historians and scholars about academic freedom and international collaboration. Critics argue that such actions could negatively affect India’s cultural and scholarly reputation globally.
The incident continues to gain attention online, with social media users and academics calling for more transparency and better communication from authorities regarding entry restrictions for international scholars.
