An Indian student is fighting to stay in Australia after he was left a paraplegic following a horrific alleged attack in Tasmania.
Devarshi ‘Dev’ Deka began studying at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) last year but his exciting, new life 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, prompting him to be placed into an induced coma.
It was later discovered Mr Deka was left paraplegic and suffered a brain injury.
Mr Deka is determined to stay in Australia where he can receive high-quality medical care while surrounded by those he loves.
Devarshi ‘Dev’ Deka (pictured) celebrated his 33rd as the Tasmanian community continues to rally for his permanent residency in Australia
He celebrated his 33rd birthday in Hobart’s north on Saturday in an instance his close friend Rishabh ‘Rick’ Kaushik said proved he was supported by the community.
‘The reason they’re here is just to show Dev that he’s not alone in his struggle; he’s not alone in these hard times and this has refined the image of Tasmania in Dev’s brain,’ Mr Kaushik told the ABC.
‘This is one of the major reasons he doesn’t want to leave, because he knows people here love him and they will keep loving him until he’s able to stay here.’
Mr Deka’s father, Kula Ranjan Depa, also shared the family’s ‘gratitude’ for the community’s support as the emotional backing helps his son both mentally and physically.
A massive GoFundMe created to help cover Mr Dek’s medical bills and keep his family united in Tasmania has raised more than $94,000 from over 1,800 donors.
UTAS has also agreed to extend Mr Deka’s accommodation for as long 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 his ongoing treatment.
Mr Deka’s family said he would be unable to access the much-needed medical support he needs in India.
Mr Deka (pictured with loved ones) was left paraplegic and suffered a brain injury after an alleged attack in Hobart last year but faces moving back to India when his student visa expires
The Multicultural Council of Tasmania began a petition to lobby Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff to push the federal government into granting Mr Deka permanent residency.
The petition had more than 6,400 signatures by Monday morning but will close by midnight.
Its sponsor, Greens MP Helen Burnett, said the number of signees already backing Mr Deka was ‘an amazing show of strength’.
‘This happened in Tasmania and it’s very important that Australians, and Tasmanians in particular show that support and that’s what they’re doing by signing this petition,’ she said.
The petition will be tabled in Parliament next week.
Mr Kaushik said Mr Deka is steadily improving with ongoing rehabilitation and treatment.
A 24-year-old man has been charged over the alleged assault and is due to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in June.
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