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| Denial of visas by Canadian High Commission untenable Behind the Veil | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, May 27: On occasions it is a dispute over the wearing of turban by the Sikhs of Indian origin in France.On other occasions the Governments in Canada and Italy ban wearing of Veil (Hijab) by muslim women.And recently Canada has denied visas to those Indian nationals who have been or who were associated with security and intelligence agencies.When the Canadian Government was asked to explain the decision of denying visa to the Indians wishing to visit that country it stated that visas were denied to those associated with the security and intelligence agencies because of their being involved in human rights violations in Jammu and kashmir.
The Canadian High Commission in New Delhi denied visas to those Indians who had been associated with the security agencies on the ground that the visas had been denied because they were a security risk and others had poor record of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.The argument is as untenable as one finds in Italy where muslim women found wearing veils are fined.Assuming that some of the retired Indian Army and BSF officers were found guilty of human rights violations how could the Canadian Government claim that these very officials, even after retirement, could indulge in human rights violations in Canada?
These inservice or retired security and intelligence personnel have applied for visas from the Canadian embassy simply to spend some days with their children or some close relations.Others wish to visit various tourist resorts in Canada where they could rest and relax. It is beyond one's imagination that these very Indians could be a security risk.If Canada has made it a rule to deny visas to those who have indulged in human rights violations does the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad apply the same yardstick against those whose human rights records have been very poor ?
No.And if the Canadian Government adopts the same policy in Pakistan not a single soul would be able to visit canada because people there have shown that they can be a security risk and are known for their poor human rights records.Canada has started the exercise recently and the beginning has been made in India.If the Canadian Government adopts tough postures it may lead to bigger diplomatic row between the two countries.
As far as the Indians are concerned their track record in different foreign countries has been quite good. This has been the reason that developed nations, including the USA,the UK, Australia, France and Russia, have been quite liberal in granting visas to the Indians wishing to serve in these countries.You find a majority of Indians serving as doctors,engineers,scientists,teachers in these developed nations.If these foreign countries have started facing any terrorist threats it is from Pakistan,Iraq,Iran and Afghanistan.The twin tower attack in America has made these developed nations very careful in granting visas to those inhabiting countries where the Talibans and the Al Qaeda are active.If the canadian High Commission in Pakistan imposes restrictions on the issuance of visas to the inservice or retired Army and ISI officials it can be understandable.
Already Delhi is upset over the decision of the Canadian High Commission.The canadian High Commissioner has been summoned by the Foreign Ministry where his decision to deny visas to some Indians came in for sharp criticism.Indications are that the Canadian Government may review its decision in the interest of its cordial ties with India.And the Government of India needs to take up with the Italian Government the issue of ban on muslim women wearing Burqa in the same way it contested the French Government's ban on Sikhs wearing turbans.
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