Vimal Pandya has raised more than £10,000 via an online petition amid reports of his deportation to India. The Rotherhithe shopkeeper was investigated by the Home Office again last year – and he found out on January 19 that his appeal had been unsuccessful, meaning he has to leave the country by February 2 or challenge the decision again, which would entail yet more legal costs, Southwarknews reported. He has spent £40,000 so far in this fight to stay back in the UK.
A spokesperson for the Home Office told Southwarknews, “We are committed to an immigration policy which welcomes those in genuine need but which deters illegal immigration, prevents the abuse of benefits and services and removes immigration offenders from the UK.”
Pandya is said to have been living in the UK without permission since 2015, the news portal reported. But, he has become an integral part of the community during the lockdown.
Eleanor Salter Thorn, who was one of the organisers of a protest to support Pandya’s case, told Asian Voice, “I was one of the protesters on Saturday. Vimal's shop is in a quiet riverside neighbourhood east of Tower Bridge and Vimal was working in one of the very few shops in the area. Throughout lockdown, he stood out as a complete hero. I live further down the street and he came to my attention when I read about the thank you letter from the Queen. All deportations are distressing, but when there is one that is about to happen just down the road, it was time for action. I didn't know Vimal. My daughter and husband had popped into the shop after the article was published.
She is also managing the Twitter account @letvimalstay that was recently set up.
“Saturday was more a symbolic start more than anything else. As long as Vimal is able to submit his appeal by Wednesday, then there should be other opportunities to go and protest,” Thorn added.
Honor Barber of Change UK attended the protest, as did the local Pearly King and Queen. Despite the Queen’s letter of appreciation for Vimal, he hasn’t been able to secure any support from her office to stay in the UK.
According to Thorn, about 16 people turned up for the protest. She made a new placard for the next time which reads "Our quiet SE16 community cares! You can't just quietly kick out a lockdown hero".
When more than half the people had gone home, a photographer arrived, Siu of Eleventh Hour Photography. “We did not have a permit to actually march, so we stowed the placards in my cargo bike and walked there,” Thorn told the newsweekly.
Now, there are two main focuses: Vimal’s aim is to get more donations into the GoFundMe campaign and submit his appeal. The organiser also told us that Vimal’s new lawyers are asking for Discriminatory Leave to Remain, because there have been many errors in his case.
PHOTO CREDIT: Siu of Eleventh Hour
