India’s decision to stop visas for Canadian citizens, as well as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s silence on the issue is “proving too costly” for Punjabis, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Monday.
“This decision is badly effecting lives of thousands of lives and Punjab is heading for big economic crisis,” Majithia added in a statement released in
Chandigarh.
In the statement, Majithia voiced concerns that the decision to stop visas comes right as the wedding season is about to start. He said there are large number of Punjabi families settled in Canada who are now Canadian citizens who prefer to conduct marriages in Punjab. “There are others,” the statement added, “who come for medical treatments, which are cheaper in India and then there are others who come to attend to emergencies and personal losses.”
The SAD leader said it was “surprising” to see Chief Minister Mann be “shockingly silent” even a fortnight after the decision was implemented. “India’s decision after only a single incident is providing highly discriminatory for Punjabis and Bhagwant Mann’s silence proves he is hand in glove with top BJP leadership.”
Majithia then cited data from the Ministry of Tourism, which suggests that over 24% of Canadian tourists visiting India usually arrive during wedding seasons.
“This means thousands involved in catering business, marriage palaces and hotels, ticket bookings and tourism Industry are all set to receive a big setback this season,” he said.
“Those who come to Punjab for sports melas have also been deprived of these occasions due to this decision.” The SAD leader said thousands of cancellations were being reported in both the sports and wedding industries which would lead Punjab towards an economic crisis.
The statement also urged both nations to resolve the issue “amicably through one-on-one talks” to avoid more losses and suffering for ordinary people.
