The deportation of well-known anthropologist Filippo Osella on his arrival in Thiruvananthapuram last week has disturbed the University of Sussex, U.K., which reportedly will be seeking a clarification on his behalf.
Filippo Osella is Professor of Anthropology and South Asian Studies and Fellow of the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP), School of Global Studies, at Sussex University.
In an e-mail to The Hindu, Prof. Osella said his university had asked him to pass on this message: “Professor Osella is an important and highly valued part of our community and a renowned anthropologist. His research in Kerala focusses on increasing the safety of artisanal fishers in the face of increasingly hazardous and unpredictable weather resulting from the effects of climate change. We are deeply concerned to hear about his experience and are seeking clarification on his behalf.”
Thanks CM
Prof. Osella said he was grateful to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for extending him support by writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveying his concerns regarding the Centre's decision to deport the academic.
On his arrival from Dubai on March 24 to attend a conference, Prof. Osella was denied entry into the country and was ordered to leave by Immigration officials at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport. Prof. Osella was left clueless why he was being deported from a country which he had visited on numerous occasions. He was merely told that the decision came from the Government of India.
The incident sparked outrage in academic circles as the academic had been carrying out researches in Kerala since the 1990s.
On his return to the U.K., Prof. Osella had reacted to the deportation order saying he was “utterly shocked and saddened” as Kerala had become a second home to him. He had also aired his suspicion that his earlier visits to Pakistan for research and conferences may have had something to do with it. He expressed the hope that such incidents would not hamper collaborations with Indian scientists and universities at a time ‘‘when the latter are trying tirelessly to internationalise their research endeavours.’‘
