Scholar’s Deportation Sparks Call for India to Be More Open

The recent deportation of prominent Hindi scholar Francesca Orsini from Delhi has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and academics, with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor urging India to adopt a more accommodating approach. Orsini, an Italian national and Professor Emerita at SOAS, University of London, was sent back from Delhi Airport after arriving from Hong Kong. Authorities cited alleged violations of visa conditions as the reason for her deportation and a prior blacklisting in March. Tharoor, sharing a post by former BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta, agreed with the sentiment that India must not appear to be closing its doors to international academics. He emphasized that deporting scholars for what he termed ‘trivial visa violations’ significantly damages India’s reputation as a country, culture, and credible international player. Tharoor advocated for a more ‘thicker skin, a broader mind and a bigger heart’ within the Indian establishment. He argued that the negative impact of such deportations far outweighs that of any critical academic discourse. Orsini, author of ‘The Hindi Public Sphere 1920-1940’, has been a respected voice in Hindi literature studies. Her expulsion has been met with concern from the academic community, who fear it undermines India’s image as a hub for intellectual exchange and academic freedom. Officials defended the move as adherence to standard procedures for visa breaches.