Indian Students in Quebec Face Backlash Over French Exam Protests

Indian students in Quebec, Canada, are facing backlash after they staged a protest against mandatory French language exams. The exams are a requirement for them to receive their degree. In a video that has circulated widely, the students – with their faces blurred – protested against being required to take French exams for them to obtain a degree and post-graduation work permit.

The video was posted on 'French With Fairness' Instagram page and was not well received by locals. Many angry Quebecers (Québécois in French) asked the international students to "go back to India" if they are unable to learn the language of the country.

What is the official language of Canada?

English and French are the two official Canadian languages.

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Where is French spoken and why?

French in Canada is generally spoken in Quebec. Quebec is an eastern Canadian province with a rich French heritage and cultural conception. Quebec was colonized by the French in the early 17th-century and even after coming under British control retained their French-initiated civil law and language traditions.

Why are Indian students protesting French exams in Quebec?

Indian students in Montreal, Quebec's largest city, have put out a number of videos stressing that they are being forced to take French exams.

If these tests are not passed, the students will not receive their degrees.

The students are not against taking French because they want to take French, and have declared that their fight, is with the fear and uncertainty because of Bill 96.

What is Bill 96?

Bill 96 is a law passed in Quebec, in 2022, that strengthens the use of the French Language in Quebec. This law amended the Quebec Charter of the French Language so that French is supported as the official and common language of Quebec when it comes to areas of education, business, public services, and the workplace.

What do Indian students say?

The students from India, in a widely-circulated video, stated that their colleges in Montreal, Quebec have forced them to pass exams in French to graduate. The requirement to pass a French language exam before graduating does not appear to be applied to McGill and Concordia - two universities located in Montreal, Quebec.

“We are being forced. Students from across our college are speaking out — Not against the French language, but against the pressure, fear, and uncertainty caused by Bill 96,” they wrote on Instagram. “We’re here to study our programs. But now we’re told: No French, No Degree.”

“We are not refusing to learn French. We are demanding time, support, and most importantly… FAIRNESS,” the protesting students clarified.

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How did the internet react to their demands?

The overwhelming comments on the video.

“They literally picked Montreal which is a part of the AUTONOMOUS province of Canada, Quebec where French is the official language. If the students can't even communicate in the official language, what's the point of giving them PGWP?” wrote one Instagram user. PGWP means the post graduate work permit necessary for international students to gain Canadian work experience.

“If you come to Quebec, Learn French. It's simple,” another said.

“Do you go to England and expect them to not ask you to speak English? First step before becoming an international student is to look up the place you’re going to, whether it’s the culture, the cost of life or the language,” a user added.

“Go back to India if you don’t want to learn French, this is the language & culture here, nobody owes you compromise because you don’t want to put the work in to learn the language,” one Instagram user said.

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