Francesca Orsini, a Hindi scholar, was deported from India upon arrival.

Hindi Scholar Francesca Orsini Denied Entry to India Amid Controversy | AI News Digest

Published: October 22, 2025, 4:17 a.m. Politics Negative

In a surprising turn of events, Francesca Orsini, a well-known Hindi scholar and professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, was reportedly denied entry into India upon her arrival in Delhi from Hong Kong. Despite possessing a valid five-year visa, immigration officials refused her entry without providing any justification. This incident adds to a troubling trend of restrictions faced by academics and activists attempting to enter India, raising alarms about the state of academic freedom and governmental transparency. Orsini, who has dedicated her career to the study of Hindi literature and culture, expressed her bewilderment over the situation, stating, "I am being deported. That is all I know." This incident underscores the ongoing strain between the Indian government and those who challenge its authority.

Francesca OrsiniIndiaVisa DenialAcademic FreedomPolitical Tensions