International student Devarshi ‘Dev’ Deka fights to stay in Australia after gutless act leaves him a paraplegic
An Indian student is fighting to stay in Australia after being left paralyzed following a horrific attack in Tasmania.
Devarshi ‘Dev’ Deka started studying at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) last year, but his exciting new life as an Australian student took a tragic turn after an alleged assault in November.
Mr Deka was at the Salamanca Market on Hobart’s waterfront when he was allegedly attacked, leaving him in a medically induced coma.
It was later discovered that Mr Deka had become paralyzed and suffered brain damage.
Mr Deka is determined to remain in Australia where he can receive quality medical care surrounded by the people he loves.
Devarshi ‘Dev’ Deka (pictured) celebrated his 33rd as the Tasmanian community continues to push for his permanent residency in Australia
He celebrated his 33rd birthday in north Hobart on Saturday, an example of which his close friend Rishabh ‘Rick’ Kaushik said he was supported by the community.
“The reason they are here is just to show Dev that he is not alone in his struggle; he is not alone in these difficult times and this has refined the image of Tasmania in Dev’s mind,” Kaushik told the newspaper. ABC.
“This is one of the main reasons he doesn’t want to leave, because he knows the people here love him and they will continue to love him until he can stay here.”
Mr Deka’s father, Kula Ranjan Depa, also shared the family’s ‘gratitude’ for the community’s support as the emotional support helps his son both mentally and physically.
An enormous GoFundMe established to help pay Mr Dek’s medical bills and keep his family united in Tasmania, has raised more than $94,000 from more than 1,800 donors.
UTAS has also agreed to extend Mr Deka’s accommodation for as long as he needs.
However, unless Mr Deka is granted permanent residency before his student visa expires, he will be forced to move back to India.
His flight back home would be covered by insurance, but not by his ongoing treatment.
Mr Deka’s family said he would not have access to the much-needed medical care he needs in India.
Mr Deka (pictured with loved ones) was left paralyzed and suffered a brain injury after an alleged attack in Hobart last year, but is set to move back to India when his student visa expires
The Multicultural Council of Tasmania started one petition to lobby Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff to get the federal government to grant Mr Deka permanent residency.
The petition had more than 6,400 signatures as of Monday morning, but will close around midnight.
Its sponsor, Greens MP Helen Burnett, said the number of signatories already backing Mr Deka was “an astonishing show of strength”.
“This happened in Tasmania and it’s really important that Australians, and Tasmanians in particular, show that support and that’s what they are doing by signing this petition,” she said.
The petition will be submitted to parliament next week.
Mr Kaushik said Mr Deka is steadily improving thanks to ongoing rehabilitation and treatment.
Mr Deka’s case is still before the court.
