Indian Couple Harassed in Racially Motivated Attack at Canadian Mall; Teen Arrested

Peterborough, Canada (Rajeev Sharma): An Indian couple faced racial abuse and death threats from a group of teenagers in the parking lot of Lansdowne Place Mall, in what police have classified as a racially motivated incident. The confrontation on July 29 began when the couple confronted the youths over damage to their vehicle.

Video of the encounter, now viral on social media, shows three teenagers in a pickup truck blocking the couple’s car while hurling profanities, racial slurs, and obscene taunts. Insults such as “big nose” and “you fing immigrant” were shouted, with one teen allegedly threatening, “Do you want me to get out of the car and fing kill you?” Another clip captures a youth mocking the victim and using derogatory language toward Indians.

Following an investigation, Peterborough police arrested an 18-year-old from Kawartha Lakes, charging him with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. He has been released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on September 16. While no specific hate crime charge applies under Canadian law, police confirmed there is a “hate crime element” in the case.

“Anybody who has seen the video in this case will understand that type of behaviour is not acceptable in our community, nor any community,” said police chief Stuart Betts, commending residents who provided information. He urged continued reporting of hate bias incidents to help authorities investigate and pursue charges.