A man in Halifax reported being subjected to a racist incident on Saturday when another individual deliberately struck his car with bagpipes and directed racist remarks towards him. Shalu Shajan, an immigrant from India, recounted the incident that occurred on Lower Water Street in downtown Halifax. The man carrying bagpipes approached Shajan’s parked car and hit the side mirror before striking the trunk as well. A verbal altercation ensued, during which the aggressor used racist language, telling Shajan to “go back to your country.”
Witness Raven Fox, who observed the confrontation, confirmed the racial bias displayed by the man carrying bagpipes. The aggressor made derogatory remarks related to Shajan’s race, escalating the situation. Shajan expressed concern for his safety as the man yelled racist comments inches away from him. When Shajan attempted to call 911, the aggressor walked away towards the waterfront.
Following the incident, Shajan reported the event to Halifax Regional Police and their hate crime unit. He also shared details of the encounter on social media to aid the investigation and hold the perpetrator accountable. Police are investigating the incident to determine if it qualifies as a hate crime. Statistics Canada data reveals a steady increase in reported hate crimes against South Asian Canadians in recent years, with 483 incidents reported in 2025, up from 167 in 2021.
While incidents like these have broader impacts on the affected individuals and communities, organizations like the Indo-Canadian Association of Nova Scotia are deeply concerned about such racist incidents. The association highlighted the need to address racism and promote inclusivity in Nova Scotia. Shajan emphasized the importance of standing up against racism and ensuring that such incidents do not happen to others.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of racial discrimination faced by marginalized communities, prompting calls for greater awareness and action to combat racism in society.