Ahluwalia’s deportation is an attack on University’s academic independence

The TISI Sangam says the deportation of USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pal Ahluwalia is an attack on University’s academic independence.

National President, Sadasivan Naicker is calling on the authorities to respect university’s governance, freedom and higher education institutional autonomy.

The Fijian government has stated that the Immigration Department ordered Pal Ahluwalia and his partner, Sandra Jane Price, to leave Fiji with immediate effect following continuous breaches by both individuals of Section 13 of the Immigration Act.

It says that under Section 13 of the Immigration Act 2003, no foreigner is permitted to conduct themselves in a manner prejudicial to the peace, defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, security, or good government of Fiji.

The government statement says Aluwahlia and Price were foreign citizens in Fiji on work permits.

It says after repeated breaches by both individuals of the provisions of Section 13 of the Immigration Act, their actions have clearly violated the terms of their work permits, resulting in their subsequent deportation.