A man in Halifax shared his account of facing racial abuse on Saturday when another individual deliberately hit his car with bagpipes and hurled racist insults at him. Shalu Shajan, an Indian immigrant, recounted the incident that occurred as he parked near Prince Street on Lower Water Street in downtown Halifax. The man with bagpipes struck Shajan’s car’s side mirror and trunk, leading to a verbal altercation where racial slurs were directed at Shajan, including telling him to “go back to your country.”
Eyewitness Raven Fox, who was present during the incident, confirmed the heated exchange between the two individuals. Fox noted the use of derogatory racial language by the man with bagpipes. The aggressor then walked away towards the waterfront when Shajan attempted to call 911.
Shajan reported the incident to the Halifax Regional Police and their hate crime unit, providing a photo of the man involved. The police are investigating whether the altercation constitutes a hate crime. Shajan expressed his willingness to press charges, emphasizing that such behavior should not be tolerated.
Statistics from Statistics Canada reveal a steady rise in reported hate crimes against South Asian Canadians, with incidents increasing from 167 in 2021 to 483 in 2025. The Indo-Canadian Association of Nova Scotia expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting the broader impact of such acts of hate on the community.
Shajan, who has encountered racist remarks before, stressed the importance of standing against such behavior. He shared his experience on social media to aid the police investigation and ensure accountability for the perpetrator. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to address racism within communities.
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