A Canadian citizen of Indian origin has uploaded a video on X where he could be seen encountering a woman who made racist comments against him, triggering some strong polarising reactions on the Internet.
Ashwin Annamalai, a Canadian citizen of Indian origin, expressed concern over the rise in ‘hate crimes’ in the country.
Sharing the video, Annamalai wrote: “The once welcoming community of Kitchener-Waterloo has seen a disturbing rise in hate, particularly against people of colour. Here’s a personal account of what I experienced today: A random woman gave me the finger & spewed hate while I was out for a walk at Erb/Avondale. [sic.]”
“She WRONGLY assumed I am Indian and I must leave immediately. When I challenge her very politely she went about her racist rants… She also is upset that there are black people in the community. She also accuses me of not speaking English & that I need to just leave, [sic.]” he said.
He said it was not an isolated incident which he faced.
“Such hate-filled encounters have been happening regularly since the beginning of the year, & people seem to be getting more emboldened. I’ve spoken about the racism faced by international students in our community [sic.],” he said.
Meanwhile, several netizens also targeted Annamalai over his Indian origin in the comment section and made racist remarks targeting him.
One Cody Williams wrote: “You’re an Indian. You’re not Canadian. No matter how many times you say in your Indian accented English ‘I’m Canadian,’ it does not change the fact you’re Indian. You will never be Canadian. Indians have their own country and that is not Canada. Go back to India where you belong.”
Another Milly said: “Well you’re not Canadian.”
A netizen said: “You don’t understand, it’s not physically possible for you to ever be Canadian, just as it’s not physically possible for me to ever be Indian, even if I spoke Hindu [sic.] and was born in India, you’re retarded, go home..”
Some online users, however, backed Annamalai in the debate and appreciated him for the manner in which he handled the debate with the woman.
“Growing up in the region, I’m surprised and saddened to see this. I think you’re right this may be the minority of cases like this, but it’s still too many and sadly reflecting worrying trends. Kudos to you for handling this with grace, given the treatment you faced,” wrote Shane.
Annamalai shared the video at a time when diplomatic ties between India and Canada have touched new low amid retaliatory expulsion of diplomats.
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has issued a warning to over a dozen Indian diplomats remaining in Canada, following India’s recall of six diplomats who were declared “persons of interest” in the investigation into Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
“They’re clearly on notice,” Joly told CBC News.
Speaking to the CBC News, she claimed that six of them have been “expelled”, including the Indian high commissioner in Ottawa.
She added, “Clearly, we won’t tolerate any diplomats that are in contravention of the Vienna Convention.”
These comments are directed at the 15 Indian diplomats still stationed in Canada.
The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada escalated after Canada labelled India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in the Nijjar case.
India subsequently recalled its High Commissioner and five other diplomats, accusing Canada of failing to act against extremist and separatist groups due to “vote bank politics.”
Joly’s remarks come after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused the Indian government, its agents, and diplomats of being involved in criminal activities in Canada, including coercion, extortion, and killings.
India has vehemently denied these accusations, calling them “preposterous imputations”.
The RCMP has claimed there are over a dozen credible and imminent threats to members of the South Asian community, particularly pro-Khalistan Sikhs.
