Last Saturday, India issued a new advisory urging 'extreme caution' following the deaths of several Indian students in Canada over the past two weeks. These incidents, though unrelated, have sparked discussions about safety and well-being among the Indian community in Canada.

Last week, a spokesperson for Minister of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal addressed the situation, stating, “We have issued an advisory for our nationals and Indian students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant in view of the deteriorating security environment in Canada as a result of the growing incidence of hate crimes and criminal violence.” He described the incidents as "terrible tragedies" and emphasised the need for a comprehensive investigation by Canadian authorities.

According to government data, over 400,000 Indian students are currently enrolled in Canadian universities. In the first week of December, three Indian students lost their lives. While one incident was deemed "non-suspicious," the others involved violent crimes.

On December 1, Gurasis Singh, a 22-year-old postgraduate student from Punjab’s Ludhiana, was fatally stabbed by his flatmate in Ontario. Singh had arrived in Canada just four months earlier to pursue further education. A few days later, a tragic accident claimed the life of Rittika Rajput, a 22-year-old Punjabi student in British Columbia, when a tree fell on her during a late-night bonfire with friends. On December 6, Harshandeep Singh, a 20-year-old security guard and student, was shot and killed by a gang in Edmonton during a robbery. 

Voices of concern and resilience

Despite these tragedies, many students expressed confidence in Canada’s overall safety while acknowledging the need for vigilance.

Rutvik Pujara, a diploma student in Business Accounting at Sheridan College, Ontario, remarked, “I never felt fear or even worried about the safety and security of me or my friends. The only incident I recall was when the political tensions between Canada and India became the talk on campus and made people around me feel concerned about their security. Besides this, nothing has really made me think of security.”

Nishat Mohammad, pursuing a post-graduate diploma in Accountancy from York University, echoed similar sentiments: “I feel safe in Canada; Canada is inherently safe. The incidents that have occurred are very unfortunate.”

Offering his perspective on the recent violence, Mohammad added, “The main reason is not that these were targeted attacks. That particular incident involved a robbery, and the person happened to be there. The thief attacked the individual present at that moment. Even if it had been someone else, they would have attacked them too.”

He further observed, “One thing I have noticed is that the sentiment against Indians and immigrants has been amplified by certain elements. After watching that video, I felt that the person who shot it seemed to feel proud, as if they had done something great. I could be wrong, but that’s my observation.”

Lack of Institutional support

When discussing the role of universities, Mohammad noted, “I feel safe, and Canada is generally safe. It depends on the university. Students may take individual initiatives, but I haven’t seen universities or colleges taking significant steps at a higher level. They haven’t done anything substantial yet.”

He also shared his personal safety measures, stating that he avoids going out late at night and steers clear of environments or areas where he senses aggression or particular sentiments. These are basic precautions he takes to prevent mishaps. Additionally, he avoids associating with people who hold supremacist views, even if it means changing his seat on the bus.

Limited support from Indian authorities

Many students feel the Indian government and embassy are not adequately involved in ensuring their safety. Mohammad remarked, “The Indian government and embassy play no role in the lives of Indian students. I haven’t seen any initiatives from the Indian embassy, nor have I heard of their active involvement. They seem to focus solely on diplomatic work. Beyond that, they have no role in student life or in ensuring their safety and well-being.”

Shivam Patel, pursuing a Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics at Northeastern University in Toronto, highlighted the importance of personal responsibility: “It is a very personal thing. It depends on how much the student is aware of the situation and how she or he can manage it.”

(Inputs from PTI)