Indian Students in Canada Plan Hunger Strike Amid Deportation Threat
The hunger strike by Indian students, protesting immigration reductions in Canada's Prince Edward Island, has reached its fourth day.
The hunger strike by Indian students, protesting immigration reductions in Canada's Prince Edward Island, has reached its fourth day. The demonstrators plan to escalate their protest with a 24-hour total hunger strike on May 28.In Short
Indian students will begin a full hunger strike on May 28 to protest immigration cuts.
Protesters are demanding exemptions for those who arrived in Canada before July 2023.
Prince Edward Island's immigration cuts are driven by pressures on healthcare and housing.
Indian students facing deportation from Prince Edward Island have been on a hunger strike for four days. They have now announced plans to escalate to a complete hunger strike, abstaining from even fluids, on May 28. This action is in response to recent changes in provincial immigration laws that have left hundreds of Indian students at risk of deportation.
According to one of the Indian protesters, approximately 50 students have already left Canada. Following four days of hunger striking, the protesters plan to begin a dry hunger strike on May 28, as reported by the Canadian media outlet CBC on Tuesday
The Indian immigrants claim their opportunities are being taken away. Jaspreet Singh Sivia, one of the protesters, blames the government for disrupting the lives of people who were already in the process of obtaining permanent residency in Canada. The Indian students plan to intensify their protests if the government continues to ignore their demands.
"There have been no actions taken. It looks like the government has become deaf," Sivia stated. "We will be doing a 24-hour dry hunger strike starting Tuesday if we still don't hear from the government officials. We will be there 24/7, every day."
Sivia acknowledged the health risks involved but emphasized their determination to fight for fair opportunities. The protests, which began on May 9, have seen 60 protesters with posters in front of the Coles Building at the PEI legislature. Starting May 28, the protesters will move to the site permanently, CBC reports.
Demands of the Protesting Indian Students in PEI
The protesters are demanding exemptions from the immigration cuts for those who arrived before July 2023. Rupinder Pal Singh, another protester, told CBC that around 50 people have already left Canada due to the regulatory changes.
There are some people who have been harassing us, throwing glasses and cans at us, and throwing water while people were asleep," Singh said. "We have also faced verbal harassment with people shouting and making noise all night long while we are protesting outside."
Police Monitoring Protests by Indian Students in Canada
Charlottetown police's Deputy Chief Sean Coombs informed CBC that patrol officers are closely monitoring the protests. "We have not received any medical distress calls at this location. We have a designated officer who maintains open dialogue with the group. The protesters remain peaceful and respectful of the law," Coombs stated.
The protesters have garnered support from the opposition. "It's very unfair," said Liberal MLA Gord McNeilly. "They're already here." He criticized the government's stance, saying, "The government is making excuses over minor issues, and these students deserve to be treated with more respect and to be heard."
Green MLA Peter Bevan-Baker expressed his disapproval, stating, "I'm ashamed that the province, which initially welcomed these individuals with a set of reasonable rules, changed those rules without warning. Now, those whose work permits are expiring face very limited choices.
