Francesca Orsini, a respected London-based Hindi scholar and Professor Emerita at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, was reportedly denied entry into India and subsequently deported from Delhi airport.
According to official sources cited by The Hindu, Orsini — an Italian national — had been placed on India’s immigration blacklist in March 2025 for allegedly breaching visa conditions. She was travelling on a valid five-year tourist e-visa and had arrived in India via Hong Kong after attending a conference in China.
Authorities stated that Orsini had previously visited India on a tourist visa and engaged in academic activities, which were viewed as violations of visa regulations.
This incident has sparked conversations across academic and diplomatic circles about the fine balance between visa compliance and intellectual collaboration. Many believe that such situations call for greater clarity and dialogue between nations to ensure scholars can continue contributing to cultural and academic exchange without unnecessary barriers. After all, ideas know no borders — and neither should learning.
