Who is Manikarnika Dutta, and Why is She Facing Deportation from the UK?

Manikarnika Dutta, a distinguished Indian historian and assistant professor at University College Dublin, Ireland, is facing deportation from the United Kingdom. The British Home Office has denied her application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), citing excessive time spent outside the country during research visits to India. This decision has raised significant concerns within academic circles regarding the treatment of international researchers in the UK.

Who is Manikarnika Dutta?

Source:psi.ox.ac.uk

Manikarnika Dutta, a 37-year-old historian at Oxford University, explores historical archives across Indian cities and travels internationally as part of her research. She first moved to the UK in 2012 on a student visa to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Oxford. Later, she transitioned to a spouse visa as a dependent of her husband. Here is a brief of her personal life:

• Age: 37 years
• Current Position: Assistant Professor at University College Dublin, Ireland
• Education:
• MA in Modern History, University of Calcutta
• Master’s in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, University of Oxford (Wellcome Trust Masters studentship)
• Doctoral research and academic positions at Oxford and the University of Bristol
• Personal Life: Married to Dr. Souvik Naha, a senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow; the couple has lived in Welling, South London, for the past decade.

Why is she facing deportation from the UK?

The UK Home Office denied her ILR application, citing that:

• ILR applicants are allowed a maximum of 548 days abroad over 10 years.
• Dutta exceeded this limit by 143 days due to research visits to India and participation in international conferences.
• The Home Office ruled that these absences made her ineligible for settlement, despite her argument that these trips were essential for her academic work.

Legal and Personal Impact

• Dutta’s lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, has challenged the ruling, arguing that her absences were necessary to fulfil academic and institutional obligations.
• Her husband, Dr. Souvik Naha, who applied for ILR under the same process, was granted the status.
• The Home Office argued that Dutta does not have a "family life" in the UK, despite living with her husband.
• The decision has been psychologically distressing for the couple, with Dr. Naha expressing shock at the ruling.

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Why is this a major concern?

• Impact on Global Talent: The case highlights concerns that UK immigration rules fail to accommodate academic research.
• Deterrent for Scholars: Stricter policies could discourage international researchers from choosing the UK as a research destination.
• Damage to UK’s Academic Reputation: Experts argue that such rulings undermine the UK’s ability to attract and retain top academic talent.

What Happens Next?

• Dutta's legal team has filed an appeal against the Home Office’s decision.
• The case will be reviewed over the next three months.
• If the ruling is upheld, Dutta may be forced to leave the UK despite over a decade of academic contributions.
• The Home Office, maintaining its policy of not commenting on individual cases, has not provided further statements.

Conclusion

Manikarnika Dutta's case has sparked a broader debate on how immigration laws impact academic research. As the UK seeks to maintain its status as a global leader in education and innovation, such policies could pose serious challenges in attracting and retaining top-tier scholars. The outcome of her appeal will be closely watched by the international academic community, as it could set a precedent for future cases involving researchers in similar situations.