An Indian student is fighting to stay in Australia after being left paraplegic following a horrific attack in Tasmania.
Devarshi ‘Dev’ Deka began studying at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) last year, but her exciting new life as an Australian student took a tragic turn after an alleged assault in November.
Deka was at Salamanca Market on Hobart’s waterfront when he was allegedly attacked, resulting in him being placed in an induced coma.
It was later discovered that 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 surrounded by his loved ones.
Devarshi ‘Dev’ Deka (pictured) celebrated her 33rd birthday as the Tasmanian community continues to rally for permanent residency in Australia.
He celebrated his 33rd birthday in north Hobart on Saturday in a case his close friend Rishabh ‘Rick’ Kaushik said showed he had the support of the community.
‘The reason they are here is simply to show Dev that he is not alone in his fight; “He is not alone in these difficult times and this has refined the image of Tasmania in Dev’s brain,” Kaushik told the ABC.
“This is one of the main reasons why he doesn’t want to leave, because he knows that the people here love him and 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 emotional support helps his son both mentally and physically.
a massive GoFundMe Created to help cover Mr Dek’s medical bills and keep his family together in Tasmania, it 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 return to India.
His flight home would be covered by insurance, but not his ongoing treatment.
Deka’s family said they would not be able to access much-needed medical assistance 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 returning to India when his student visa expires.
The Tasmanian Multicultural Council initiated a petition to pressure Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff to pressure the federal government to grant Mr Deka permanent residency.
The petition had more than 6,400 signatures as of Monday morning, but will close at midnight.
His patron, Greens MP Helen Burnett, said the number of signatories already backing Deka was “an incredible 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,” he said.
The petition will be presented in Parliament next week.
Kaushik said Deka is steadily improving thanks to continued rehabilitation and treatment.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with the alleged assault and is due to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in June.