The year 2021 proved to be a turning point in history for Afghanistan. The Taliban returned to Afghanistan. The Taliban took over power in Afghanistan beyond the expectations of many people. According to a report by ThePrint, two-thirds of the Afghan Sikhs who fled their country to India after the Taliban took over have settled in Canada.
Meanwhile, an Afghan Sikh man who arrived in Delhi in August 2022 told ThePrint last February that if he did not get a Canadian visa, he would return to Kabul with his six children, wife and sister-in-law because all their temporary Indian e-visas had already expired at that time.
Sikh foundations in Canada are believed to be helping those travelling via India, providing them with a monthly stipend, house, groceries, mobile phones and free education for children for the first year upon arrival. Along with this, out of about 350 Afghan Sikhs who fled to India from the war-torn country Taliban, 230 have successfully moved to Canada.
The Delhi-based Khalsa Diwan Welfare Society estimates that 120 Afghan Sikhs in India are still waiting for Canadian visas. According to the Khalsa Diwan Welfare Society, “Of those who came after 2021, about 230 have settled in Canada. One or two families are in the US. Most are working in construction work, driving trucks or at petrol pumps in Canada.
Private sponsors are voluntary groups of Canadian people or organizations, including faith-based associations, ethno-cultural groups or settlement organizations. Several Sikh-based private sponsors have played an important role in sponsoring Afghan Sikhs.
However, this is not an option for Afghan Sikhs who fled their country in 2021. Because the CAA applies only to those who came to India before 31 December 2014. Therefore, many see Canada as an attractive option. Because there is a large Sikh diaspora there and also an easy path to citizenship if one is a refugee. Canada, as per the law, cannot send back refugees even if they do not have proper documents.
About 120 Sikhs from Afghanistan are living in India. However, these people are also waiting to get Canadian visa.
Published at : 06 Sep 2024 07:22 PM (IST)
