Canada, August 27: Instances of hate attacks against South Asians in Canada, the UK, the US and Ireland are mounting and the pandemic is no longer a convenient excuse.
In Peterborough, Ontario, a video went viral in August showing three young men hurling profanities and racial slurs at a Bangladeshi couple.
In the UK, two elderly Sikh men were brutally beaten, their turbans kicked aside.
In Waterford, Ireland, a six-year-old Irish-Indian girl was punched, had her hair pulled, and was told to “go back to India.”
In Dublin, assaults on Indians—including taxi drivers and students—have become frequent, forcing India Day celebrations to be postponed over safety concerns.
On August 11, 2024, 21-year-old student Taranpreet Singh was threatened with drowning while his attacker screamed slurs and accused South Asians of “taking over” his country.
These are not isolated events. In fact, most occurred within the past two months.
The Online Hate Machine
A recent report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) highlights a steep rise in online hate against South Asians in Canada, driven by extremist groups and anti-immigration rhetoric.
According to ISD, posts containing anti-South Asian slurs surged by over 1,350% between 2023 and 2024. Police-reported hate crimes against South Asians rose 227% between 2019 and 2023.
White supremacist networks actively promote conspiracy theories like the “Great Replacement,” framing South Asians as invaders. Even political figures haven’t been spared—Jagmeet Singh, former NDP leader, faced intensified racist attacks during the April federal election campaign.
Underreporting and Daily Racism
Despite this alarming rise, police admit hate crimes are severely underreported. A new Environics Institute survey confirms the impact: 15% of South Asians say racism affects people they know “to a great extent,” and 47% say “somewhat.”
Racism manifests everywhere—from workplaces and schools to buses, cafes, and public parks. Verbal abuse is most common, but threats, assaults, and workplace discrimination remain widespread. Yet, only one in four victims ever reports to authorities.
According to Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS), Ontario, in places like Sudbury, these hate crimes doubled from two to four reported cases from 2022 to 2023. But, as Sudbury police noted, hate crimes and hate-based incidents are extremely underreported.
Persistent Patterns of Racism
A new Environics Institute report shows that racism continues to deeply affect South Asians in Canada. About 15% said it impacts people they know “a great extent,” and another 47% said “somewhat.” These findings are consistent with 2021 and higher than in 2019, highlighting how racism remains persistent and widespread.
According to the report, discrimination occurs in workplaces, schools, public spaces, homes, and online—most often as verbal abuse, but sometimes as threats, assault, or property damage and lack of promotional opportunities at workplaces.
While Indigenous and Black Canadians face the highest levels of racism, South Asians and other racialized groups are also heavily affected.
Despite the pervasiveness, only one in four victims report hate incidents to authorities, and most feel unsatisfied with the outcome. The research also shows that most Canadians now recognize racism as a serious reality in their communities, even if its full impact isn’t always understood.
Why Is Hate Increasing?
The question is why has hatred against South Asian community increased not only in Canada but across North America?
This report links the trends to economic frustrations—such as housing shortages and job insecurity—being unfairly blamed on immigration. Prime Minister Mark Carney has since pledged to cap immigration levels, partly to address housing concerns—but researchers warn the deeper issue is the spread of organized hate online, increasingly framing South Asians as “invaders” and linking Canada to global far-right narratives of demographics.
Growing Numbers and Visibility
Undoubtedly, South Asians today are among the most visible immigrant groups in places like Brampton and Surrey in Canada. In 2023, as many as 427,000 students from India were allowed to enter Canada with the promise of permanent residency. As a result, people of South Asian descent now make up the largest group of Canadians, other than those from the historical European majority. Immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh now form 8 percent of the total population.
Most South Asians prefer to live in urban areas and have made areas like Toronto and Surrey their home, forming a majority of the population in some cities, preferring not to mingle with the local community.
Mixed Experiences Within the Community
Satbir Cheema, the CEO of Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society, has lived in Canada since 1988 and says he has never experienced racism of any kind all his life.
“I am a turbaned guy and many times I am the only turbaned person on a bus. But, no one has ever raised a finger or have I faced any kind of harassment. People may comment behind my back, but not to my face. Having said that, it does not mean that others have had the same experience. I do hear about people having different experiences.”
The visibility, paired with cultural clashes, sometimes fuels resentment. As one commuter from Surrey noted, “Our youngsters attract unnecessary attention—playing music loudly, being disruptive in transit, or blocking traffic with street dancing. It irritates even me—so what do you expect from others?”
Economics and Cultural Gaps
Quite possible the South Asian youngsters may at times invite the ire of the locals, yet it cannot be denied that economics too play a big role.
During Covid, the Trudeau government allowed many immigrants to enter the country in the garb of businesses looking for employees. And now, the visibility of these students working in gas stations, cafes, superstores and other businesses can be seen across the country. Before that, these jobs would be given to local students, who would bank upon these summer jobs during school vacations. Not anymore, and the locals are angry.
However, Cheema does expect youngsters who come into the country to learn the customs and culture of the place if they want to live in Canada.
“Often, we find the newcomers are rude; they don’t form queues when getting off or on the bus; don’t allow commuters to get off before they rush in; drive rashly not following traffic rules and feel entitled to own the roads; not holding doors open in malls for the next person coming in etc. These are basic courtesies that they need to learn and behave better with others.”
The Danger of Scapegoating
While some behaviors may spark annoyance, blaming entire communities for housing shortages or job competition dangerously feeds xenophobia.
The fact remains: South Asians have contributed tirelessly to Canada’s economy, often working long hours in low-paying jobs others refuse to take.
The rise in hate crimes against South Asians is not a collection of isolated incidents—it is a symptom of deeper anxieties, economic insecurities, and the dangerous spread of extremist narratives online.
Toward Belonging and Safety
While newcomers must make genuine efforts to adapt, respect local customs, and build bridges, it is equally vital that society at large resists the temptation to scapegoat entire communities for complex national challenges.
South Asians have been integral to Canada’s growth—whether driving taxis, running small businesses, or staffing hospitals and classrooms.
If Canada truly values its identity as a multicultural democracy, then it must ensure that diversity is not just celebrated on paper but protected in practice. That means holding perpetrators accountable, tackling online hate networks, and fostering real dialogue between communities.
Only then can Canada and North America live up to their promise—not as places where prejudice finds new excuses, but where every person, regardless of origin, can belong with dignity and safety.