A Sikh professor, who was deported from Fiji in 2021 by the then authorities over his efforts to reveal monetary mismanagement in a prime College, returned after two years to a heat welcome. Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and president of the College of South Pacific (USP), and his spouse had been acquired on the Nadi Worldwide Airport by college students and workers from the college.

“We have now arrived in Nadi. What a wonderful reception. USP Employees, College students and so many effectively wishers to fulfill us fills our hearts with pleasure. Stunning singing and prayers. Thanks Fiji,” Ahluwalia tweeted upon his arrival.

“We wish to thank God and the brand new Fiji authorities for permitting this. To our USP college students and workers we’re so humbled by your help and really a lot stay up for seeing you,” he wrote.

Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka revoked the prohibition order on Ahluwalia in December 2022 to make sure the exiled professor and his spouse’s return to Fiji.

“I’ll apologise on behalf of the individuals of Fiji for the best way they had been handled,” Rabuka had stated, including that the prohibition order towards Ahluwalia was “unreasonable and inhumane”.

Ahluwalia has been figuring out of the USP`s Samoa Campus in Alafua since December 2021.

The Kenya-born professor, who holds Australian and Canadian citizenships, had angered the then Fijian authorities over a leaked inside report, which he wrote in 2019.

The report alleged widespread monetary mismanagement throughout the college, abuse of entitlements, unearned promotions and thousands and thousands of {dollars} improperly spent underneath former administrations seen as carefully allied, politically, to the Frank Bainimarama authorities, The Guardian reported.

As much as 15 immigration, police and navy officers entered Ahluwalia’s dwelling in Suva on the evening of February 3, 2021, revoked his work allow and compelled on a flight underneath navy guard to Australia.

Calling him a “prohibited immigrant”, a authorities assertion stated that Ahluwalia had breached Part 13 of the Immigration Act and had “performed himself in a way prejudicial to the peace, defence, public security, public order, public morality, public well being, safety, or good authorities of Fiji.”

The federal government additionally claimed unspecified “repeated breaches” of the immigration act and visa situations.

Ahluwalia denied all allegations of misconduct and stated he has been “the sufferer of a witch-hunt”.

This morning Sandy and I are on the flight from Apia to Nadi. We wish to thank God and the brand new Fiji Authorities for permitting this. To our USP college students and workers we’re so humbled by your help and really a lot stay up for seeing you. Vinaka.

— Professor Pal Ahluwalia, USP VC (@pal_vcp) February 9, 2023

The transfer to ship Ahluwalia in exile had provoked widespread outrage and condemnation from workers, college students, opposition politicians and human rights teams.

The USP shall be holding a thanksgiving ceremony on February 14 to formally welcome the return of Ahluwalia and his spouse.

The College of South Pacific, which is collectively owned by 12 nations, is seen for example of Pacific cooperation at work.

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