Indian students resume hunger strike over immigration rules in Canadian province

Indian students on the Canadian island of Prince Edward Island have resumed their hunger strike, saying it is the only option left. Dozens of Indians are threatened with deportation from Canada after the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) changed its immigration rules.

The hunger strike resumed on June 18 despite the recommendation of an immigration adviser in the eastern Canadian province to turn to Manitoba, another province with a large number of immigrants, for a solution.

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Jaspreet Singh and four other foreign workers stopped eating at 10 a.m. because they felt it was the only way to make their demands heard, The Star reported. He said neither the provincial government nor the immigration department had listened to them. Previously, Indian students on Prince Edward Island had planned a “major blackout” for June 19.

“We are organising another major blackout and we want all our people to join us on June 19. All communities, islanders, please come out of your houses. It’s a beautiful day and we want to send the right message in the right way because there is another raffle on June 20,” protest leader Rupinder Pal Singh said in a podcast.

The protesting Indian students ended their hunger strike weeks ago on the advice of local leaders. The proposal to end the earlier hunger strike came after the health of some students deteriorated.

Protests on Prince Edward Island resume, now including hunger strike

In an interview on June 18, Rupinder Pal Singh said, “I am definitely worried about my health. Last time, I fainted a few times, also felt sleepy and was not in good health.”

Singh and 20 others began their protests on May 23, setting up camp near the provincial parliament and making similar demands: to be granted permanent residency under the immigration rules that were in place when they first came to the island.

The protesters are desperate to have their demands heard. Last time, they went without food for nine days until they were met on May 31 by a government representative who assured them that he would provide them with a list of 250 workers who would be affected by the new immigration rules.

Excuses and no real progress, say protesters

“There was no communication at all,” Singh said since then. “They offered no solution, only excuses.”

A spokesperson for the province’s Ministry of Manpower, Skills and Population said they had met with foreign workers. “This includes changing occupations and using other immigration pathways, either through provincial programs or federal programs,” Hillary Proctor said in an emailed statement.

“The province hopes that the information provided will enable these individuals to make the best possible decision regarding their personal circumstances.”