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National MP asks Prime Minister to clarify on "catch next flight" comment by Minister

The Kiwi Indian community has been facing the double whammy of first facing an unprecedented exercise of discretion by Immigration New Zealand resulting application declines in huge numbers and then being told by a cabinet Minister to “catch next flight home”.

The Indian Weekender has been raising the issue at multiple platforms right from the department of INZ and Minister of Immigration Iain Lees-Galloway's office to clarify that no such ‘government directive’ has been issued as claimed by NZ First MP Shane Jones and Deputy Prime Minister.

While The Indian Weekender has been leading the charge against the misinformation being conveniently spread around on partnership-based visa affecting Kiwi-Indian community, several community organisations have come out criticising Minister Shane Jones for his seeming fascist comments against the community.

In this regard, the National's Kiwi-Indian MP Kanwaljit Bakshi has asked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to clarify her stand in an interview with Radio New Zealand earlier on Monday, October 28.

Mr Bakshi said the Prime Minister is responsible for all her ministers referring to the scathing comments by NZ First MP Shane Jones asking “disgruntled Indians to catch next flight home”.

Mr Bakshi added that the comments made by the minister has offender the Indian community and it is up to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to clarify government’s position on mass declines of partnership-based visa after a prolonged delay from earlier this year.

Mr Bakshi urged that the PM Ardern should also meet with the Indian community to discuss their situation.

Mr Bakshi also shared a letter with media that his office has sent to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway raising concerns on the change in the interpretation of immigration policy on the partnership-based visa.

Image of the Letter sent by National MP Kanwaljit Bakshi to Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway