The strained relations between the two countries have dealt a significant blow to Canadian educational institutions, which heavily depend on international students, with nearly 40 percent coming from India.
Recent tensions and concerns surrounding Indo-Canadian relations have cast a shadow of worry and apprehension over the Indian state of Punjab. Punjab is known for sending a significant number of its youth to study abroad, particularly in Canada. The province is also home to numerous non-resident Indian (NRI) families settled in major Canadian cities, as reported by outlookindia.com.
The welfare and future prospects of these young students, particularly in the wake of issues like hate crimes and visa denials, have started to weigh heavily on both students and the wider Punjabi diaspora.
A disturbing factor in this scenario is the issuance of threats by pro-Khalistan activists like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, president of the ‘Sikhs for Justice’ organization. They are asking Hindu-Canadians to leave Canada and return to India, adding to the prevailing concerns. Arshjot Bajwa, a college teacher in Ludhiana, who sent her daughter and nephew to Canada less than a year ago on a ‘study permit,’ expressed her concern, stating, “Though the kids tell me that things are fine in Canadian cities and people don’t give credence to social media posts being circulated in India, yet the parents and families can’t sleep and relax as if nothing will happen.”
The strained relations between the two countries have dealt a significant blow to Canadian educational institutions, which heavily depend on international students, with nearly 40 percent coming from India.
Jagdeep Singh, an education consultant and owner of Cambridge Academy in Amritsar, explained, “Parents are tense over these developments. There is panic among those who were in the process of going to Canada on student visas and also among NRIs who had planned their weddings in India in November-December. These two months are very crucial for the families to visit home and solemnize marriages of their sons and daughters as per Indian customs.”
The region is home to a substantial number of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) in Canada. Many visit India annually to reunite with their families, especially elderly parents, or attend social events. Some even run businesses in India. “Punjab-based NRIs visit their ancestral homes during the festive season,” adds D S Rataul, a media professional. He estimates that around 1.75 lakh students from Punjab go to Canada on study visas every year, constituting almost 41 percent of the five lakhs from India.
After India issued an advisory urging its citizens to “exercise utmost caution” in Canada due to escalating diplomatic tensions, families have become increasingly concerned about the safety and well-being of their loved ones abroad. Vinod Sharma, a resident of Gurdaspur village, expressed his concern, saying, “We have been concerned about the well-being of both my children who are studying in Canada.” There is also visible panic among young individuals preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and applying to various Canadian colleges and universities.
Another group of young individuals are selling their land and investing the proceeds to travel to Canada for business or employment opportunities, seeking an alternative to unemployment and the drug problems in Punjab.
However, travel and visa agents are offering reassurances that the situation will improve soon, as Canada cannot afford to prolong the crisis. Canadian educational institutions heavily rely on international students, and any extended disruption would be detrimental. Not only Punjab but individuals from states like Gujarat and Haryana also flock to Canada each year for educational pursuits.
The apprehensions extend beyond Punjab, as families in Gujarat, another state known for sending students to Canada on study visas, are also worried. Ahmedabad-based businessman Bansi Lal Dave, whose son is scheduled to fly to Canada on a study visa in October 2023, voiced his concerns, saying, “Watching media reports, I really feel worried even though our agent says ‘nothing to worry’.”
Harman Brar, a student from Moga in Punjab, shared his consultant’s advice, saying, “I spoke to my consultant, who is assisting me in gaining admission to a Canadian college. He tells me not to panic and that it is a temporary phase.”
Aspirants are also being told that some countries, apart from Canada, might be fueling social media with posts to discredit Canada, as reports from several cities suggest that the atmosphere in Canada is relatively normal.
Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has appealed to the Indian government to resolve the issues and find an early solution to the stalemate, as it could adversely affect the Punjab economy.
Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya issued a statement urging Hindu-Canadians to remain calm but vigilant. He advised, “Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies.”
Sukhbir Badal, the chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal, acknowledged the uncertainty and anxiety among Punjabis following the escalation of Indo-Canadian diplomatic tensions. He expressed his concerns about the indefinite suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals to India, which impacts a large number of Punjabis residing as overseas nationals of Indian origin or as students in Canada.
The apprehensions extend beyond Punjab, as families in Gujarat, another state known for sending students to Canada on study visas, are also worried. Ahmedabad-based businessman Bansi Lal Dave, whose son is scheduled to fly to Canada on a study visa in October 2023, voiced his concerns, saying, “Watching media reports, I really feel worried even though our agent says ‘nothing to worry’.”
**************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com