The Scholar and the Fortress of Fear
Francesca Orsini's deportation from India exposes a nation's growing fear of dialogue.
When the distinguished scholar Francesca Orsini arrived at Delhi airport on October 21, 2025, she expected a routine welcome, not abrupt deportation.
With a valid five-year e-visa, she was ordered to leave without explanation: a moment that vividly illustrates how contemporary India uses administrative processes to stifle academic freedom.
Her removal exposes how bureaucratic procedures now serve to mask and enforce political control, transforming the landscape for intellectual inquiry.
Orsini's deportation exemplifies a deliberate state strategy targeting intellectual dissent and plurality.
Rather than an isolated case, it reflects a broader effort to restrict critical thought and dialogue in India.
Author's summary: India's deportation of scholar Francesca Orsini sparks concern over academic freedom.