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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

'Indians doing everything to escape India': Woman's garba move at Canada citizenship ceremony draws flak

A woman doing garba at the Canadian citizenship ceremony has triggered a major controversy that snowballed into hatred against Indians, as social media users said only "third-world people" do such things. They also questioned why Indians become so happy when they give up Indian citizenship yet they cling to their culture in foreign countries.

For the couple who posted the video, it was more than just a ceremony as they wrote in the caption of the video. It was a full-circle moment after eight years in Canada. "Attending my Canadian citizenship ceremony in person at Mississauga. From dreams, struggles, and small wins… to finally calling this place my home officially," the post said, explaining why the garba was an expression that their roots were alive in every step.

"From garba to Oh Canada!" the video proceeded as the couple showed their citizenship certificates, holding the Canadian flag.

The video went viral, mostly drawing flak. The criticisms were based on two aspects: why there was no respect for Canadian culture which they are calling their new home; and why so much happiness that the woman had to do garba at a formal citizenship event attended by many, from different countries. Social media users asked the couple if they loved their Gujarati culture so much, why did they go to Canada.

"Indians doing everything to escape India and then celebrating with Indian dance form is peak irony," one wrote.

"If you wanted to be Indian so bad, she could have stayed in India. It’s not anti-Indian comment. I’d say the same for a Scottish immigrant if they came in their tartan kilts playing bagpipes," another wrote.

"We don’t see Polish people who becomes Canadians doing this. We don’t see Britishers who becomes Canadians doing this. We don’t see Australians who become Canadians doing this. Why always it has to be mostly people from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh doing these kind of things in a civilised society? ALWAYS!!" another wrote calling this a third-world behavior.

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