The UK Home Office has recently come under fire for threatening to deport Manikarnika Dutta, a highly qualified Indian historian working at the University of Oxford. The reason? She spent too much time in her home country conducting research in archives. This shocking revelation was reported by The Guardian, shedding light on the complexities and challenges faced by immigrants in the UK.
Dutta, 37, is a dedicated historian whose work involves delving into archives in Indian cities and participating in overseas trips as part of her academic pursuits. She initially moved to the UK in 2012 on a student visa to pursue a master’s degree at the prestigious University of Oxford. Later on, she obtained a spouse visa as a dependent of her husband, Souvik Naha.
Despite being married for over a decade and residing in south London, the Home Office denied Dutta the right to stay in the UK, citing reasons such as not having a family life in Britain. This decision came as a shock to Dutta and her husband, who had applied for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in October last year based on their extended stay in the country.
The rejection of Dutta’s application was primarily due to her exceeding the limit of days spent outside the UK, as per immigration rules. Individuals applying for indefinite leave to remain must have resided in the UK for a specific number of years and cannot be outside the country for more than a certain number of days. In Dutta’s case, she had spent 691 days abroad, surpassing the limit by 143 days.
As a result of the Home Office’s decision, Dutta, who is now an assistant professor at University College Dublin, faces the threat of deportation from the UK. This has caused immense stress and uncertainty for both her and her husband, who are established academics in their respective fields. Their lawyer, Naga Kandiah, emphasized the essential nature of Dutta’s research trips for fulfilling her academic obligations and maintaining her visa status.
In response to the situation, a legal appeal has been filed against the Home Office’s decision, with hopes of overturning the deportation threat. The Home Office has stated that they will reevaluate their choice within three months, but the outcome remains uncertain.
The case of Manikarnika Dutta highlights the challenges faced by immigrants, even those with valuable skills and contributions to academia. It raises questions about the fairness and flexibility of immigration policies, especially when it comes to individuals who have established their lives and careers in the UK. The outcome of this case will not only impact Dutta and her family but also serve as a reflection of the UK’s approach to immigration and the treatment of skilled professionals.
