Francesca Orsini furore shows perils of visa vigilantes

Nov 1, 2025 | 19:32 IST

Denying the Hindi scholar entry could create an impression that the country has no time for foreigners studying India

Professor Francesca Orsini's visa denial sparks debate. The incident raises questions about India's stance on foreign scholars and its liberal inheritance. The govt's focus shifts towards science and technology, potentially impacting liberal arts engagement. This approach risks sending mixed signals globally. National security decisions should not be influenced by social media

Now that the furore over the denial of entry to Professor Francesca Orsini, a reputed Hindi scholar based in the UK, has settled down, it is worthwhile to explore some of the issues the controversy has thrown up.

For a start, it is undeniable that the Orsini incident will reinforce the prevailing view in the India studies departments of western universities that the current dispensation has deviated significantly from India’s liberal inheritance.

TOI

TOI

Francesca Orsini furore shows perils of visa vigilantes

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TOI

Francesca Orsini furore shows perils of visa vigilantes

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