70,000 international student graduates at risk of deportation as Canada tightens policies
Indian students protest
New Delhi: Students who came to Canada with aspirations of building a new life are now staging protests across the country against a new federal policy that puts them at risk of getting deported from the country.
Scores of Indian student graduates have led demonstrations in response to the Justin Trudeau government’s decision to limit study permits and reduce permanent residency nominations. Protests have been ongoing for more than three months in front of the legislative assembly in Prince Edward Island (PEI) by international students, and similar demonstrations have occurred in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The new policies aim to cut permanent residency nominations by 25% and restrict study permits. This shift follows significant population growth in Canada, with immigration accounting for about 97% of last year’s population increase, according to federal data cited by NDTV.
“I spent the most crucial six years of my life taking many risks to come to Canada,” Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student who is facing deportation, told City News Toronto. Despite studying, working, paying taxes, and earning sufficient Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, Singh feels the government has taken advantage of students like him. He, along with others who invested their family’s savings in tuition, now face the uncertainty of an expiring work permit and no clear path to permanent residency.
Students and advocacy groups, such as the International Sikh Student Organization, pointed out that these issues stem from broader policy failures rather than the migration of international students, as mentioned by the news outlet. They are urging the federal government to extend work permits and create clear pathways to permanent residency, stressing that international students significantly contribute to the Canadian economy and deserve fair treatment.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
