As the hunger strike continues, the health and wellbeing of these students hang in the balance, awaiting a resolution that might restore their hopes for a stable future in Canada
Hundreds of Indian students in Canada are protesting changes in immigration laws in Prince Edward Island (PEI), facing imminent deportation due to new provincial regulations. These changes have disrupted the lives of many who were in the process of obtaining permanent residency (PR).
The protest began on May 9, with students staging a hunger strike that has now escalated to a dry hunger strike—where participants abstain from both food and water—posing severe health risks. This extreme measure underscores the students’ desperation and the gravity of their situation.
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The protesters have vowed to intensify their actions if the government continues to ignore their demands, highlighting a growing tension between the student community and the provincial authorities
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The ongoing situation reflects a broader issue of immigration policy and its impact on international students seeking better opportunities abroad
Approximately 60 protesters gathered in front of the Colest Building at the PEI legislature, carrying posters and banners to voice their demands. Jaspreet Singh Sivia, one of the protest leaders, criticized the government for its inaction, accusing it of turning a deaf ear to their plight. “There have been no actions taken. It looks like the government has become deaf,” Sivia told CBC.
The students’ primary demand is that those who arrived before July 2023 be exempted from the new immigration cuts. They argue that their opportunities and future prospects are being unfairly stripped away by these abrupt changes.
Two students have also testified in PEI’s Parliament against the policy, seeking legislative support to reverse or mitigate the impact of these cuts.
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