Canadian authorities have reportedly taken necessary steps to stay the deportation of some Indian students who allegedly submitted fraudulent admission letters to educational institutes. People familiar with the matter greeted this decision as a welcome move. 

Recently, the Indian authorities in New Delhi and Ottawa had taken cognizance of these Indian students with their Canadian counterparts. Reports claim that nearly 700 Indian students in Canada have been scared with deportation for allegedly submitting fake admission letters.

Many of these students had gone to Canada during the year 2017-19. Some of these students have also acquired their work permit after completing their studies while some others are continuing with their studies. In the past week, external affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed that it would be unfair to punish the students. 

Hindustan Times quoted a person familiar with the matter saying that India had taken up the matter with Canadian authorities in Canada and New Delhi. He affirmed that the external affairs minister took up the matter with his Canadian counterpart and the secretary from the external affairs voiced regarding the matter during his visit to Canada in April. 

Some students have reportedly received stay orders on their deportation notices. He emphasized that the consistent effort by the government of India has played a pivotal role in the Canadian government adopting a humane approach along with considering the perspective of the students. As far as reports are concerned the Canadian authorities were continuously urged to be fair and to take a humanitarian approach as the students were not at fault. The concerned authorities also underlined that there were gaps in the Canadian system together with lack of diligence, due to which the students were granted visas and were allowed to enter Canada. 

Moreover, it is also to be noted that the Canadian parliamentarians from different political parties had also came out in support of the students. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also recognized the need for the fair treatment of the students. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday warned that the very severe cyclonic storm, ‘Cyclone Biparjoy’ situated over the east-central Arabian Sea strengthened into an extremely severe cyclonic storm at 5:30 am. According to the weather department, the very severe cyclonic storm is expected to move nearly northwards and reach near Pakistan and adjoining Saurashtra and Kutch coast as a very severe cyclonic storm on June 15. 

The IMD in a bulletin stated that the very severe cyclonic storm “Biparjoy” located over the east central Arabian Sea moved almost northwards with a speed of 5 kmph during the last six hours and lay centered at 2330 hours IST of 10th June, 2023 over the same region near latitude 17.4 degree north and longitude 67.3 degree east, about 600 km west – southwest of Mumbai, 530 km south-southwest of Porbandar, 580 km south – southwest of Dwarka, 670 km south – southwest of Naliya and 830 km south of Karachi. 

Considering the weather condition, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has issued a ‘red alert’ and has also laid down emergency guidelines for the security of ships and port facilities. The Port Trust in its statement further clarified that all shipping activities will remain suspended. It has also banned double bunking of ships at the Karachi International Container Terminal. The Karachi administration also prohibited fishing, sailing, swimming and bathing at seas under section 144 owing to the threat posed by the cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’. As far as the statement is concerned, the aforementioned decision has been taken to prevent untoward incidents of shipwreck or drowning. The deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners have been authorized to take necessary actions in case of violations. 

Meanwhile on Saturday, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and other coastal regions were put on alert as meteorologists cautioned that cyclone Biparjoy over the Arabian sea would strengthen in the following 24 hours. Tithal beach in Valsad on the Arabian Sea coast has been closed for tourists till June 14 after high waves were observed at the place. In addition, concerned authorities have also advised the fishing communities to suspend operations for the coming five days in the eastern and central Arabian sea along the Indian Saurashtra and Kutch region. The weather department has also cautioned about heavy rainfall at isolated places in Kerala and coastal Karnataka in the following three days. 

On the other hand, heat waves continued in Rajasthan on Saturday. However, the weather department predicted rains in the state next week due to the cyclone. Furthermore, it is also forecasted that Rajasthan may witness showers on June 14-15. Jodhpur and Udaipur may also witness rain along with thunderstorms. 

Two women wrestlers who have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of behaving inappropriately with them have been asked to provide audio, video, photo proof as evidence to support their allegations. The female wrestlers accused the WFI chief of touching their breasts and stomach on the pretext of checking their breathing. Reportedly, the police also asked the wrestlers to hand over photo evidence of a “hug” that the WFI chief had allegedly given to one of the complainants.

The aforesaid women wrestlers filed formal complaints against the WFI chief on April 21 at the Connaught Place police station in New Delhi. The wrestlers alleged several incidents of sexual harassment and misconduct. According to reports, these incidents took place during tournaments, warm-ups, and even within the WFI office in the national capital. Reportedly, the misappropriate behavior involves groping, inappropriate touching, and unwarranted physical contact. 

As per media reports, police have asked the complainants to provide necessary details like the dates and the times of the alleged incidents, the duration of their visits to the WFI office, the identities of their roommates and any potential witnesses, especially if they were abroad at that time. In addition, the police also sought information about the hotel where one of the wrestlers stayed on her visit to the WFI office. 

Meanwhile, the police also issued separate notices to one wrestler and her relative, questioning about threatening phone calls which they allegedly received after lodging complaints against Brij Bhushan Singh. Reports claim that the relatives were particularly requested to produce any video, photograph, call recordings, or WhatsApp chats pertaining to the threatening calls. These notices were reportedly signed by the Investigating officer assigned to the Connaught Place police station. 

On Saturday, the protesting wrestlers claimed that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is using his influence to put sexual harassment victims under pressure and compelling them to alter their statements. On the other hand, the government had assured the wrestlers that a charge sheet will be lodged against WFI chief Brij Bhushan by June 15. The wrestlers halted their protest following the assurance.