Indian students in Canada’s Prince Edward Island have resumed their hunger strike, saying it is the only option left to them. Dozens of Indians are at risk of being deported from Canada after the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) changed its immigration rules.

The hunger strike resumed on June 18, while an immigration consultant recommended that the eastern Canadian province should seek advice from Manitoba, another province with a large number of immigrants, to find a solution.

Jaspreet Singh and four other foreign workers stopped eating at 10 a.m. as they felt it was the only option to get their demands met, The Star reported. They said neither the provincial government nor immigration officials listened to them. Earlier, Indian students on PEI had planned a “big blackout” on June 19.

“We are organising another big blackout and we want all our people to join us on June 19. All the communities, islanders, please come out of your homes. It’s a great day and we want to send the right message in the right way because there’s another draw on June 20,” protest leader Rupinder Pal Singh said in the podcast.

The protesting Indian students had ended their hunger strike several weeks ago on the advice of local leaders. The decision to end the hunger strike was suggested after some of the students fell ill.

Protests resume, now including hunger strikes, in P.E.I.

In an interview on June 18, Rupinder Pal Singh said, “I am definitely worried about my health. Last time, I fainted twice, and I was also feeling drowsy, and my health was not good either.”

Singh and 20 others began the protest on May 23 by setting up camp near the provincial legislature. Their demands were similar: to qualify for permanent residency under the immigration rules in place when they first arrived on the island.

The protesters are adamant about their demands. Last time they went without food for nine days until a government official met them on May 31 and assured them of taking a list of 250 workers affected by the new immigration rules.

Protesters say this is all about excuses and no real progress

Singh said, “There has been no talks since then. They have not given any solution, they have only made excuses.”

A spokesperson for the provincial Workforce, Advanced Education and Population department said they have met with foreign workers, “this includes changing professions and pursuing other immigration pathways, whether provincial programs or federal,” Hilary Proctor said in an emailed statement.

“The province hopes the information provided will enable these individuals to make the best decisions about their individual circumstances.”