Community fights for elderly Indian Sikh woman facing deportation from UK
London, Nov 26: The case of an elderly Indian Sikh woman, which first came to light back in 2019, has continued to attract widespread community support in the West Midlands region of England as her supporters fight against her deportation.
Gurmit Kaur, 78, came to the UK in 2009 and Smethwick has been home to her ever since, reads an online petition attracting over 65,000 signatures since it was launched in July 2020.
More recently, "We Are All Gurmit Kaur" has been running across social media as the local community continues to rally around the widow.
"Gurmit Kaur has no family to turn to in the UK and no family to return to in Punjab, so the local Sikh community of Smethwick have adopted her," reads the petition on Change.Org.
"Gurmit applied to stay but has been refused even though she has no family to return to in Punjab, India. Gurmit is a very kind woman, even though she has nothing she is still generous and will always give what she can, when she can. Most of her days are spent volunteering at the local gurdwara," it reads.
The UK Home Office maintains that Kaur was still in contact with people in her home village in Punjab and would be able to re-adjust to life there.
Salman Mirza, an immigration advisor for the Brushstroke Community Project who started the petition and is among those helping Kaur through the visa appeals process, told the BBC that her ordeal has been like torture for her.
"She has a derelict house in the village, with no roof and would have to find heating, food, and resources in a village she hasn't been to in 11 years. It's like water torture, it's like a slow death, she's never had the right to work and provide for herself," he said.
A Home Office spokesperson said that while it cannot comment on individual cases, "all applications are carefully considered on their individual merits and on the basis of the evidence provided".
Kaur first travelled to the UK in 2009 to attend a wedding and was initially living with her son.
After becoming estranged from her family, she went on to rely on the kindness of strangers. She has widespread support within her local community where she regularly volunteers at local charities.
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Those against Constitution are speaking about changing it, says Karnataka CM
Bengaluru, Nov 26: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said those against the Constitution are speaking of changing it, while he and his party are fighting to safeguard it.
He was speaking on the sidelines of an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution.
"Those who are against the Constitution, they are telling it (about changing the Constitution). Recently Swamiji of the Pejawar Math in Udupi had also spoken about the need for amending the Constitution. I don't know...we are fighting to ensure that the Constitution should not be changed," Siddaramiah said in response to a question.
Addressing reporters here, he said, "About 106 amendments have been made to the Constitution so far. We are celebrating 75 years (of adopting the constitution). Probably India's is the longest (written) Constitution in the whole world."
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Noting that it has been 75 years since the country adopted its Constitution, the CM said whether it is central or the state government or the local bodies, they have to function in accordance with the Constitution and uphold its principles.
Pointing out that his government has made it compulsory for students to read the preamble of the Constitution at schools and colleges, he said, "Every child should understand the preamble of the Constitution, its principles, and should function according to it. Everyone should be aware of the rights and duties that have been provided under the Constitution. So we observe the constitution day. It is a pious day."
