We Want Justice

Third protest in space of just a month is planned for the international Indian students in New Zealand facing unfair deportations.

The students have been victims of unscrupulous immigration agents and corrupt bank officials in India as well as irresponsible private training establishments in New Zealand and a lax approach taken by Immigration New Zealand for the visa approval process. It is cruel and unfair to punish the students for something they have not done.

A peaceful protest will take place on Sun 2nd October, 12 noon outside offices of National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi in Papatoetoe, Auckland.

There has been outstanding support and solidarity for the students from The Catholic Church in Aotearoa, The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, NZ Council of Trade Unions, leading barristers, The Labour party of NZ, The Green Party of NZ, many trade unions, Socialist organisations, activists, community groups and members of civil society. Despite that the Minister of Immigration has refused to meet the students and their supporters in person.

The students and their supporters are particularly incensed at the failure of several National MP's of Indian ethnic origin who claim to represent the Indian community but have been conspicuously silent on this issue. This was apparent during the protest held on 26 Sep outside a public meeting hosted by National List MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar and presented by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. Neither Dr Parmar nor Mr English listened to or addressed the students facing deportation. More alarming was the fact that the venue doors were locked from inside for what was billed a public meeting. The students’ request to be escorted in and out of the meeting by police present and deployed with Tasers at the protest was also ruthlessly declined.

Comparison of the Indian students with faulty fridges by National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi only adds to the outrage caused by Immigration New Zealand’s decision to deport the students for something they have not done.

A significant number of international Indian students resides in South Auckland especially in Papatoetoe. The majority has been silent about the deportations. The Indian students facing deportation need solidarity from these students.

To seek justice for the Indian students facing deportation and to show solidarity to all international students in NZ a peaceful protest has been organised for 12 noon on Sunday 2nd Oct outside offices of National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, 131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Let’s gather 12 noon on Sunday 2nd Oct outside offices of National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, 131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

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