An Indian-origin chess prodigy in London is on the verge of being deported due to British immigration laws.
Shreyas Royal, who has been dubbed as Britain’s “greatest chess prospect in a generation” and is ranked number four in the world in his age group, will have to leave the country soon since his father’s yearly income doesn’t allow him to stay longer once his work visa expires.
The nine-year-old chess prodigy from India, who went to the UK when he was just three, is well known thanks to his amazing talent.
In September, Royal’s father – Jitendra Singh – who is an IT project manager with the TCS, was told that his work permit for staying in the UK cannot be renewed as he doesn’t earn more than £120,000 a year. Many on social media argued the amount is ‘ridiculously high’ and most people in the service industry don’t earn more than that.
If you have a passion and courage then nothing else matters ,you will be successful ! It was my last British Chess...
Posted by Shreyas Royal on Monday, 6 August 2018
His parents appealed to the Home Office on the grounds that Royal is a national asset, but received a letter this week saying that while the nine-year-old showed “immense promise” it did not mean he could remain in the country. The news of this rejection upset many.
Labour MP Rachel Reeves, a former junior chess champion, called upon the Home Ministry to let the chess star stay on in the UK. Along with Reeves, Matthew Pennycook, who represents Greenwich and Woolwich – where Shreyas lives – has written to two cabinet ministers urging them to let the nine-year-old stay as he attempts to become England’s first world chess champion, The Guardian reported.
Govt plan to force an 8 year old chess prodigy to leave the country next month because his father earns less than £120,000 a year.
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) August 3, 2018
UK shouldn't be deporting its brightest young talent. @sajidjavid should intervene and allow Shreyas to stay in the only home he can remember. pic.twitter.com/DLonnTgSzX
As the furore increased, the English Chess Federation have also directly appealed to Sajid Javid, the home secretary, to let Royal stay in England. Many are now asking Indian ministers to intervene.
Here’s what Twitterati had to say:
In the matter of the impending deportation of chess prodigy Shreyas Royal and his parents, the family cannot extend their visas because the father earns less that £120,000 per year
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) August 4, 2018
It is characteristic of this dreadful government that they put money before talent
Theresa May's income just before she became Prime Minister was £117,350. Fewer than 1% of UK population earn more than £120,000 pa. https://t.co/C65wfjF2gu
— David McKendrick (@McKendrickDave) August 6, 2018
This is madness!! This young lad is representing England in international countries!! 😡😡😡 #HostileEnvironment “Chess prodigy Shreyas Royal in plea to stay in UK” https://t.co/l7q2Ch2yIw
— #HelloMyNameIsJoan #NHSLove #FBPE 🇪🇺 (@RoaringNurse) August 4, 2018
In other words anyone on an ordinary job, a working person has no f'ing chance https://t.co/JrYcvY0WKK
— Tony O'Brien (@Chanctonman) August 4, 2018
India on the other hand should welcome #ShreyasRoyal with open arms and make every possible attempt to convince his parents that his potential can be realized just as well there> Chess prodigy Shreyas Royal in plea to stay in UK https://t.co/mUhb0n5P3N
— Mayuresh K (@mskadu) August 6, 2018
@ShashiTharoor sir please intervene, world might get to see another vishwanathan anand. https://t.co/kGS6WkP2Fh
— Crazyfrog🐸🐸 (@purusho15) August 7, 2018
Chess history has a lot of records of receiving Honanary citizenship. It is equally true, UK has lost "Sultan Khan" like legends owing to "end of business commitments". Kohinoor Diamond is not going to be returned to India. There is a meaningful reason why it is still in Crown! https://t.co/YqGrFZF8Nq
— Malola Prasath (@malolaprasath) August 5, 2018
After this, would you blame the family for not wanting to stay in the UK even if the decision was overturned? Horrible treatment.
— Theo (@tprstly) August 6, 2018
This country is no place for genius anymore, and I worry for my own kids' futures.
I beg your pardon Mr Cleese, but have I read the correct digit? One-hundred-twenty-thousand £? This means about 160.000€! I'm from Italy, but this revenue belongs to less than 1% here in Milan. The richest town in Italy.
— Arnaldo (@ArnaldoBagnato) August 5, 2018
There might be a solution for the predicament which Shreyas Royal and his family feel they are in. @TCS his dad's employers are owned by one @TataCompanies which also own @TataSteelEurope and who sponsor one @tatasteelchess. Now could the Dutch not offer abode? #playingDutch
— ♚ Chess Club Live ♚ (@ChessClubLive) August 6, 2018
I think if #chess was a sport in the UK this would have not been an issue. BUT 120K is a ridiculous demand... I still have a faith in the UK's compassion and fairness. #ShreyasRoyal https://t.co/0lOAGJL47D
— Meri Grigoryan (@MerryPoppies) August 5, 2018
It's not just money before talent, it's the insane level of the money - why require a minimum income of £120k for someone whose employer wants to retain him albeit at a perfectly sufficient but lower level? https://t.co/7rwN1VBBN1
— BritCits (@BritCits) August 4, 2018
If you deport every British who has less the 120K a year - there would be lot of free flats in London and all over the UK - and you could save the 350.000.000 Pounds a week for the NHS. Thanks to UKIP and Boris "Donald" Johnson. https://t.co/XKw8AUXvJ0
— Uli Bohnen 🇩🇪 🇪🇺 (@UliBeans) August 4, 2018
