Across the world, scholars say they are thinking twice before choosing Indian subjects to study because they are unsure they will be allowed access to the country for field work.
A social science researcher at a university in the United Kingdom told Scroll that they had been trying to plan a visit to India for nearly two years. Starting in early 2024, they said, they applied for research clearance from the Indian government, formalised their affiliation with an Indian institution, and completed all other paperwork associated with their academic plans, but had still not received approval.
“I have contacted officials, but have either been unable to get through, or been told that my application is ‘still being processed’,” the researcher said.
The delay in the process has caused the researcher immense stress, and forced them to consider completely changing their area of research.
Even established scholars say they are gripped with anxiety because procuring visas to visit India for their work has become increasingly difficult.
“We are on tenterhooks every time we apply for visas, and worry with each visit to India that it will be our last,” a professor based in the United Kingdom said, requesting anonymity because they feared repercussions from Indian authorities. “Some of us don’t even try...
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