The decision of the British high commission to suspend issue of student visas at New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar offices for a month after receiving 13,500 applications between October-December, 2009 is understandable. The rise in the number was alarming when compared to 1000 applications received in 2007 and 1800 in 2008 during the corresponding period. There is something amiss in all this and it is the responsibility of authorities in India and in Britain to unravel it all. The trouble seems to emanate from the middle men who use student visas to help unqualified and poor people get into Britain and there fend for themselves, and also from educational institutions in Britain who are trying to capitalise on the demand for degrees and certificates from people who are eager for acquiring them in order to improve their employment prospects. The outcome is illegal emigration which poses a danger to the social system in Britain and is a source of great suffering to people seeking quick-fix solutions.
It is interesting that trouble should emanate from north India, especially Punjab. Compared to the southern and western parts of the country, the people seeking to get out of the country are mostly those who do not have the necessary educational qualifications and who are also poor to boot. While British officials have promised to come down heavily on educational institutions in Britain which are making false promises, it is incumbent on the Indian authorities to crack down on the middle men who operate the system and also provide guidance to people seeking to emigrate.
It has been suggested that the phenomenal rise in the number of visa applications might be due to the fact that after the racial attacks on Indians in Australia last year, many people are seeking to go to Britain. This could be partially true. But there is another problem which needs to be scrutinised. Many who go out on student visas end up as workers and this creates legal and social complications. It has to be acknowledged on both sides that there is a demand for illegal workers in the host country and there are compelling reasons for those seeking such uncertain and risky employment. As borders become blurred and porous, this problem of illegal movement of people, sometimes through official channels, has to be tackled with firmness and understanding. It requires more than knee-jerk responses.
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