'Biggest Mistake Of My Life': Indian-Origin Canadian Regrets Acquiring Citizenship, Weighs Returning Amid 'Growing Anti-India Sentiment'

An Indian-origin Canadian citizen sparked an emotional online discussion after publicly expressing their deep regret over giving up Indian citizenship, citing growing hostility towards the community in Canada as a key reason.

Posting on Reddit under the title “Canadian citizen, considering moving back to India forever,” the individual revealed they had taken Canadian citizenship just a year and a half ago, a decision they now call the “biggest mistake” of their life.

Have a look at their post here:

Mentioning a noticeable rise in anti-Indian sentiment in Canada, the user said, "The increased anti-Indian sentiment I feel like is only going to get worse."

The post quickly went viral, inviting a range of comments from fellow Reddit users, many of whom had either considered a similar move or had already returned to India under the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status.

OCI Holders Encourage Move Back

In response, one user shared their own plan saying, “I’m a recent Canadian citizen from South India. I’m moving back to India for some time very soon, to focus on better health.”

Other users encouraged to follow through on the move, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being and family ties. “If you have a good support system in India, please move back for now,” they advised.

Another user offered reassurance, writing, “Hang in there, man, things will get better. Save and invest in yourself and in your future.”

There were also voices of realism, with one post noting, “Anti-Indian did not start today, it’s been there and it will always be there.”

Highlighting that good people exist everywhere, another user wrote, "I'm a recent Canadian citizen from south India, with OCI. I’m moving back to India for some time very soon, to focus on better health and not because of anti-India issues, personally I never experienced any racism to be honest."

"At my work place there was a Caucasian girl who was being weird towards me and was making work a lot harder, I reported this to my manager and they fired her in 2 days and told me we want you stay in the company and they apologised to me for what i had to go through. Good people still exist, there are good and bad people everywhere, I wouldn’t generalise. I love working in Canada and please don’t generalise the crappy 1% racially disabled people and compare that for all of Canada," the user added.

While the post has not revealed the user’s full identity or exact location, it has opened up a wider dialogue about cultural alienation, identity, and the emotional toll of migration, particularly in the current geopolitical climate.

The user is reportedly now looking into the legalities and job prospects of returning to India under the OCI framework.

Published on: Friday, August 08, 2025, 03:32 PM IST