A group of Indian social media activists in Canada have launched a campaign to highlight the negative aspects of Canada and discourage their fellow countrymen from visiting or immigrating to Canada.
The campaign, which uses various hashtags comes amid an unprecedented diplomatic row between India and Canada over the involvement of the Indian government in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil.
The Indian social media influencers posted videos, photos and messages on various platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, criticizing Canada’s human rights record, environmental policies, health care system, economy, and multiculturalism. They have also accused Canada of harboring Sikh extremists and terrorists who pose a threat to India’s sovereignty and security.
A video showing a homeless man sleeping on a sidewalk in Toronto while commenting “This is the reality of Canada. A country that claims to be a champion of human rights and democracy. Is this the kind of life you want for yourself and your family?
Some social media influence heightening the Canadian indigenous people’s rights issue. One Indian YouTuber who said that she always did positive sides of Canada but today she will highlight the negative aspects of Canada. She keeps saying that there have been mass graves recovered and the white Canadians are responsible for this.
The campaign also has different aspects to discourage Indians who are planning to come to Canada as one contains “Canada is not a safe place for Indians. They are discriminated against and attacked by racists and extremists. They are treated as second-class citizens and denied opportunities and justice. They are better off staying in India or going to other countries that respect them.
The campaign has drawn mixed reactions from other social media users, some of whom have expressed support for the activists’ cause, while others have denounced them as misguided and misinformed. Some have also questioned the credibility and motive of the activists, suggesting that they may be working for or influenced by the Indian government or its intelligence agencies.
The diplomatic row between India and Canada erupted when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed he had credible information linking India to the killing of prominent Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar was an outspoken supporter of the Khalistan movement and was wanted by India. He was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Both countries have expelled senior diplomats in reciprocal moves.