Manikarnika Dutta, a distinguished historian, an Oxford alumna, and a researcher who has worked to uncover India’s imperial past, had no idea she would fight to keep in the nation she has called home for more than ten years. However, a administrative cliche threatens to cause her to lose both her job and academic career.
A professor in danger
Manikarnika Dutta, 37, an assistant professor at University College Dublin, is facing deportation from the UK after the Home Office determined that she is ineligible for an indefinite stay ( ILR ). What is the cause? Her intensive research trips to India, where she accessed important files for her job on British imperial story, were more than twice the number of days that are permitted abroad under UK immigration laws, according to the Guardian.
Dutta relocated to the UK in 2012 to pursue a master’s diploma before moving on to pursue postgraduate work and held jobs at Oxford and Bristol. Travel was necessary because of her intellectual obligations, but those obligations are now being used to support her removal.
A technical flaw with serious repercussions
Initiative applicants are permitted to invest up to 548 days abroad, according to UK Home Office regulations, for a 10-year period. Dueta oversaw this by 143 days, an total brought on by necessary study trips and international conferences. The Home Office ruled against her despite her claim that these visits were essential to her job, according to the Guardian.
Dutta’s rejection of the application process only adds to the discussion, as did her father, Dr. Souvik Naha, a top lecturer at the University of Glasgow. Despite being married and residing in London with her father for more than ten years, the Home Office more claimed that she does not have a family living in Britain.
The result and horror
Dutta told The Observer,” I was shocked when I received an email telling me to left.” ” I’ve lived in the UK for the majority of my adult life. Never did I anticipate that something like this may occur to me.”
Her attorney, Naga Kandiah, has filed a lawsuit against the decision, arguing that traveling was necessary but not for her to fulfill intellectual obligations. The case has sparked outrage in scientific circles, with some claiming that the UK’s method could alienate top-tier international academics.
A widespread concern, perhaps?
Dutta is not the only one. Another researchers have experienced similar issues, raising fears that UK immigration laws are not taking into account the realities of scientific research. Researchers warn that such stringent regulations may deter international expertise from considering the UK as a research and innovation hub for the long term.
The Home Office has agreed to go over her situation for the time being for now. Dutta is still doubtful whether she will be forced to leave the country where she has spent more than a decade and whether she will be able to pursue her career in the UK.
According to a Home Office spokesman,” We do not regularly post on specific cases, as has long been federal policy.” But, Dutta’s event has implications far beyond her personal circumstance, which raises serious questions about the UK’s devotion to retaining world-class academic skills.
