AI Generated Summary
- By expanding the scope to also include posts mentioning Canada globally, analysts uncovered how the country is now cited as an alleged cautionary tale in extremist forums worldwide—portrayed as an example of a society being “overtaken” by non-white populations, a narrative rooted in the baseless “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory.
- A disturbing surge in online hate targeting South Asians in Canada has been linked to extremist propaganda and a rising tide of anti-immigration sentiment, according to a new report released by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).
- The ISD’s findings come at a time of growing concern over online radicalization and the spread of conspiracy theories that frame immigrants as a threat to national identity and stability.
A disturbing surge in online hate targeting South Asians in Canada has been linked to extremist propaganda and a rising tide of anti-immigration sentiment, according to a new report released by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).
The comprehensive study reveals that slurs and hostile narratives directed at South Asians on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) increased by more than 1,350 percent between 2023 and 2024. Analysts also reported a 227 percent increase in police-reported hate crimes against South Asians from 2019 to 2023.
“This is absolutely staggering,” said Steven Rai, a domestic extremism analyst with ISD, in an interview. “South Asians are being disproportionately targeted, and it’s not subtle—it’s a sharp, aggressive increase.”
The ISD’s findings come at a time of growing concern over online radicalization and the spread of conspiracy theories that frame immigrants as a threat to national identity and stability. The report attributes much of the current wave of hate to organized domestic extremist groups, such as Diagalon, a white supremacist outfit that gained traction during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Diagalon, according to Rai, has been at the forefront of amplifying anti-South Asian rhetoric online.
“The kind of language we’re seeing—portraying Indians and other South Asian groups as ‘invaders,’ as ‘dirty,’ or ‘criminals’—is the kind of toxic narrative that has real-world consequences,” Rai said.
The spike in vitriol online has not gone unnoticed in political circles. The report highlights a significant rise in targeted attacks against South Asian politicians, especially during the April 2024 federal election. Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, a visible Sikh figure in Canadian politics, was among those frequently targeted.
The ISD’s data-driven analysis tracked thousands of online posts using specific ethnic slurs and geographic filters to zero in on content related to or originating from Canada. By expanding the scope to also include posts mentioning Canada globally, analysts uncovered how the country is now cited as an alleged cautionary tale in extremist forums worldwide—portrayed as an example of a society being “overtaken” by non-white populations, a narrative rooted in the baseless “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory.
Underlying the hateful rhetoric, according to Rai, is a blend of economic frustration and racial scapegoating. With Canada facing acute housing shortages and job insecurity, some citizens are linking their grievances to immigration policy.
“They’re conflating economic issues with immigration,” Rai explained. “And when they look for someone to blame, South Asians—especially in highly visible communities like Brampton or Surrey—become the target.”
In response to growing public unease, Prime Minister Mark Carney recently pledged to cap immigration numbers, citing pressures on housing and infrastructure. However, Rai warns that policy responses must be careful not to legitimize or echo extremist talking points.
“Restricting immigration because of infrastructure strain is a legitimate policy conversation,” he said. “But we have to be vigilant that this doesn’t become a gateway to normalize xenophobia or race-based blame.”
The ISD report emphasizes that while hate speech against other minority groups remains a concern, the rise in anti-South Asian content is uniquely steep. This, according to Rai, suggests an urgent need for targeted counter-extremism strategies and stronger moderation policies on social media platforms.
As digital spaces become the new battlegrounds for extremism, the report serves as a stark reminder that unchecked hate speech online doesn’t just remain virtual—it often spills into the streets, affecting real communities in tangible and sometimes violent ways.
“The data doesn’t lie,” Rai concluded. “We are at a critical point, and ignoring it could come at a great cost to the social fabric of Canada.”
