Francesca Orsini, a renowned London-based Hindi scholar and Professor Emerita at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, was denied entry into India and subsequently deported from Delhi airport.
According to official sources cited by The Hindu, Orsini—an Italian national—was placed on India’s immigration blacklist in March 2025 for allegedly violating visa conditions. Despite holding a valid five-year tourist e-visa, authorities claim that during previous visits, she engaged in academic activities while on a tourist visa, which breached Indian immigration regulations.
Orsini arrived in India from Hong Kong after attending a conference in China. Her denial of entry has sparked quiet discussions in academic circles about the balance between national security policies and academic collaboration, particularly as global scholars continue to seek stronger ties with India’s educational and linguistic institutions.
In a world where knowledge should build bridges rather than walls, stories like these remind us of the delicate balance between rules, research, and relationships—and how one moment at an airport can echo across the global academic community.
