Retired Indian diplomat Vivek Katju recently shed light on these challenges, highlighting the struggles faced by these security personnel when seeking visas to Canada
Former Army officials and Punjab Police personnel have been encountering significant difficulties in obtaining Canadian visas, especially those who have served in counter-terrorism operations in the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir. Retired Indian diplomat Vivek Katju recently shed light on these challenges, highlighting the struggles faced by these security personnel when seeking visas to Canada.
Speaking to India Today, Vivek Katju, a former ambassador, pointed out that Canada routinely denies visas to members of India’s security forces who have served in Jammu and Kashmir. He also noted that Canada has denied visas to members of other Indian services, a matter often left unspoken.
Notably, several high-ranking officers from Punjab Police have also faced considerable obstacles in securing Canadian visas. One retired official, who previously held the position of Additional Inspector General (AIG) in Punjab Police, along with his family, submitted their visa applications over a year ago but have not received any response from the Canadian authorities. In contrast, a close relative of the officer managed to secure a visa within a month and has already moved to Canada.
These challenges faced by former security personnel in obtaining Canadian visas have raised concerns about the fairness and consistency of Canada’s visa policies for individuals with backgrounds in law enforcement and military service
The retired AIG officer, speaking anonymously to India Today, expressed his frustration, saying, “The Army, paramilitaries, and Punjab Police have been at the forefront of fighting terrorism, but Canada has been unjust in singling out individuals. I prefer not to disclose my name to avoid putting my family at risk in Canada, where several Khalistani groups remain active.”
Another officer who served in Punjab Police’s Intelligence wing echoed similar sentiments, stating, “It is ironic that gangsters and Khalistani extremists seem to have a free run in Canada, while those who have served in law enforcement agencies face hurdles.”
Even a former Inspector General of Punjab Police who retired in 2022 has been waiting for a Canadian visa for a year but is unwilling to go on the record, remarking, “It will serve no purpose.”
Officers, speaking anonymously to India Today, revealed that the Canadian visa application process for security personnel requires disclosing the locations where they have served, adding complexity to the application process.
One notable case involves Tejinder Singh Dhillon, a retired Inspector General of Police from the Central Reserve Police Force since 2010. Despite having visited Canada for more than three decades, including several trips during his service in the CRPF, Dhillon found himself declared inadmissible under a subsection of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Canadian officials questioned him about his service in Kashmir and “Operation Blue Star.” Although Dhillon’s wife was allowed to travel to Toronto for a family wedding, he was initially turned away. After taking matters into his own hands, the Canadian consulate issued an apology and facilitated his timely travel to attend the wedding.
These challenges faced by former security personnel in obtaining Canadian visas have raised concerns about the fairness and consistency of Canada’s visa policies for individuals with backgrounds in law enforcement and military service.
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