Rise in Sikhs seeking asylum in Canada

TORONTO: There has been a sudden increase in the number of refugee claims by Indian nationals in Canada over the past year, with the number jumping from less than 1,500 for 2017 to more than 2,500 by the end of August this year.

The figures for this year reflect a nearly 450% increase in refugee claims over those for 2016.

A recent report in the Canadian daily, National Post, pointed out that there had been a rise of 256% by mid-2018 for the comparative period for last year.

The report cited an analysis done by the Intelligence and Analysis Section of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which stated, “A frequent basis of claims [for asylum] cited by Indian nationals is the fear of arbitrary arrest or abuse by the police, based on accusations of supporting militant organisations. It should be noted that the vast majority of these claims are filed by Indian Sikhs.”

The analysis also noted that the 2020 referendum for an independent Punjab, called by the separatist group Sikhs for Justice, may be the primary reason behind this phenomenon.

Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accessed by Hindustan Times underscores this sharp increase in refugee claims. In 2016, the first year after the Trudeau government assumed charge in Ottawa, the figure stood at 565 and it rose to 1,490 in 2017, and by the end of August 2018, it was already at 2,540 for the year.

The CBSA analysis estimated the final number for the year could reach 4,200.

In response to queries from Hindustan Times, an IRCC spokesperson said, “These claims represent less than one percent of all Indian travellers to Canada.”