Dr. Manikarnika Dutta, a respected historian affiliated with the University of Oxford, is facing potential deportation from the United Kingdom due to exceeding the permitted number of days abroad during her academic research. The case has sparked significant outcry from the academic community, with many calling for urgent immigration policy reforms to accommodate the realities of global scholarship.
Dr. Dutta first arrived in the UK in September 2012 on a student visa to pursue a master's degree at Oxford. She later transitioned to a spouse visa as a dependent of her husband, Dr. Souvik Naha, a senior lecturer in imperial and post-colonial history at the University of Glasgow. The couple has lived together in south London for more than a decade, contributing actively to British academia.
The Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Application
In October 2024, Dr. Dutta applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, a status granting permanent residency. However, UK Home Office rules state that ILR applicants must not be absent from the UK for more than 548 days over a 10-year period. Dr. Dutta’s research commitments required her to spend 691 days abroad, primarily in India, where she accessed essential historical archives and participated in international academic conferences. As a result, her ILR application was denied.
The Home Office rejection letter informed Dr. Dutta that she must leave the UK and warned that failure to comply could lead to a 10-year re-entry ban and potential legal prosecution for overstaying. Dr. Dutta, who has resided in the UK for 12 years, expressed shock and distress over the decision, emphasizing her deep professional ties and contributions to UK academia.
Her legal representative, Naga Kandiah, has challenged the Home Office’s decision, arguing that her extended absences were an essential part of her academic work and should not be penalized. Following mounting pressure, the Home Office has agreed to reconsider her case within three months, leaving Dr. Dutta’s future in the UK uncertain.
Academic Community Outrage
Dr. Dutta’s case has ignited a fierce debate over the UK’s treatment of international scholars. Critics argue that rigid immigration policies fail to accommodate the nature of academic research, which often requires scholars to travel extensively for fieldwork, archival access, and international collaboration.
Prominent historian William Dalrymple called the Home Office’s decision “appalling and clearly ridiculous,” echoing the sentiments of many academics who fear that such cases will deter international talent from choosing the UK as a hub for research and higher education.
With the Home Office's decision under review, Dr. Dutta’s legal team is preparing for a possible appeal, while academic institutions continue to rally behind her case. The outcome will not only determine her ability to remain in the UK but may also influence broader conversations about immigration policies for international researchers.
Dr. Dutta’s case serves as a crucial test of the UK’s commitment to academic freedom and global scholarship, highlighting the challenges faced by foreign academics navigating strict immigration regulations while fulfilling their professional responsibilities.