Community rallies behind injured student, but federal politicians resisting calls for help

Tasmanians have rallied behind an Indian student who suffered grievous injuries in a bashing in Salamanca Place — but the federal government is proving harder to convince.

Dev with parents Deepalee Deka and Kula Deka. Dev Deka an international student left paraplegic following an alleged attack in Hobart. Picture: supplied

NED-7429 Mercury Banner

Tasmanians have rallied behind an Indian student who suffered grievous injuries in a bashing in Salamanca Place — although the federal government is proving harder to convince.

Devarshi Deka, 32, came to Australia to study a masters at the University of Tasmania.

But he suffered injuries including brain damage and has been left a quadriplegic after he was assaulted in November.

A GoFundMe page set up to help him has raised nearly $90,000 and a petition to asking for the federal government has more than 2700 signatures.

Greens Multicultural Affairs spokeswoman Helen Burnet said that getting the state government to lobby Canberra to give Dev permanent residency would mean he gets the medical help he needs.

“It’s so heartening to see such immediate and strong support from the Tasmanian community for Dev,” she said. “‘I’m sure this response will mean a lot to him and his family.

“Everyone who is signing this petition is doing their bit to help Dev, but they’re also showing that the overwhelming majority of our community want Tasmania to be an inclusive, welcoming, and safe place for all.

Dev Deka an international student left paraplegic following an alleged attack in Hobart. Picture: supplied

“Having so many people already sign is a great start, however we need to keep growing the petition numbers.

“We’re encouraging everyone to give two minutes of their time to help Dev’s case by signing.

“The more people who sign this petition, the stronger the message will be to the politicians who are deciding if Dev can stay in Australia and receive the care and support he needs.”

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill Shorten said he had sympathy for Dev’s plight but providing help was difficult.

“It’s a diabolical situation for the young man and his family,” he said on Friday.

“It is the case though that we can’t take on board and provide every benefit that Australians get to anyone who visits the country

“There’s no doubt that this is a disaster, so I know that people are investigating is any support that can be provided.

Mr Shorten said it was not possible to provide every visitor to Australia with the benefit of the same safety net Australians enjoyed.

A man has been charged with assault, stating a false name and address and resisting a police officer over the incident involving Devarshi Deka.

He has not entered a plea, remains in custody and will reappear in court in June.

The petition is available on the parliament of Tasmania website.