Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused India of being involved in the assassination of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. In response, India has labelled Canada a “Safe Haven for Terror” and has halted the issuance of Indian visas to Canadian citizens. India has also issued an advisory for its Indian residents currently in Canada, urging them to remain safe and aware of their surroundings.
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Fanshawe College is home to many Indian students, and the Indian government’s advisory has left many feeling anxious. “My family calls me three times a day to check on the situation here. They are worried about my safety and want to know what is happening,” said Parag Patel, an international student at Fanshawe College.
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Sukhdeep Kaur, originally from Punjab, India, expressed, “The events occurring around us are concerning. My family is closely monitoring the situation through Indian news outlets, and I believe this is slowly turning into a media war between the two countries, with both trying to assert they are right.”
“I came to Canada last month to visit my son. He is enrolled in a culinary program here in London, and everything happening between the two countries is truly worrisome, especially after India refused to grant visas to Canadians. I have my return flight scheduled for next month, and to be honest, I am concerned about whether I will be allowed to go back or not. Currently, everything seems fine, but just in case the situation worsens, many, including me, will face significant problems,” says Balvir Chand.
“We have yet to discuss this, but it is crucial that everyone remains united in this situation. It is important not to bring hatred into our classrooms and to maintain a friendly and united stance during these challenging times. Things have escalated rapidly, and it is vital that we stay informed and updated,” states Stephin Sathya, President of the Fanshawe Student Union.
The safety and well-being of students are the top priorities for the college, and Fanshawe’s International Centre and FSU are available to assist any students in need.
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