A distinguished scholar of Hindi language and South Asian literature, Francesca Orsini, was met with a ban and subsequent deportation upon her arrival in New Delhi. The UK-based academic, affiliated with the University of London’s SOAS, was reportedly turned away at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday. Indian authorities cited violations of her visa stipulations as the reason for her blacklisting. According to a source within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Orsini has been on a government ‘black list’ since March for allegedly contravening her visa terms. The source emphasized that such actions are consistent with global protocols for individuals found to be misusing their visa privileges, especially when entering on a tourist visa for purposes beyond its scope. Orsini, an Italian national with deep ties to Indian academia, having studied at premier institutions like the Central Institute of Hindi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, is a respected voice in Hindi and Urdu literary studies. Her extensive research has produced significant books on the region’s literary landscape. Her most recent visit was planned for research and meetings with literary figures, though not for formal academic conferences. The decision to deport her has sparked backlash from prominent intellectuals and commentators, who argue that it reflects a regressive stance on academic freedom and international scholarly engagement.
