RCMP investigating ‘disturbing racist tirade’ directed at Calgary Uber driver

Mounties south of Calgary are investigating what police are calling a “disturbing racist tirade” directed at an Uber driver that was caught on dashcam footage.

Video of the incident has made the rounds on social media after being shared on TikTok by Calgary driver Mandeep Sehgal.

The footage shows a man getting into the Uber south of Calgary before launching into a rant. The passenger asks Sehgal where he is originally from as soon as he gets in, to which Sehgal replies India.

Sehgal tells CityNews he initially thought the man was joking with his aggressive line of questioning.

“I try to be happy, I was talking to him and laughing,” he says. “Then suddenly when he got really aggressive I understood this is not normal.”

At one point the passenger, who says several times in the video he is from Calgary, tells Sehgal “I’m white blood of the land, you are in my land.”

After only a couple of minutes, Sehgal pulls over and orders the rider out of his vehicle, telling him to “get out on your land.”

“That’s the toughest thing when you have to prove that you belong here, and you’re already here,” says Sehgal. “You have family here, you work here, you pay taxes.”

“I consider myself a Canadian as well.”

Sehgal says he has been in Calgary for two years after moving to Alberta from the Vancouver area. He says he has been subject to offensive comments from passengers in the past, but this recent incident is the most aggressive he has experienced.

“I think almost every driver is dealing with these kinds of things these days,” he says. “It happens a lot.”

RCMP investigating and warn against 3rd party harassment

In a release on Wednesday, Okotoks RCMP say they are aware of the video and are investigating the incident.

RCMP also say the address where the patron was picked up was leaked on social media, and residents who live there have been “subject to harassment due to the posts.”

Police say the address has no connection to the passenger in the video.

“Those found participating in harassment or threats towards this innocent third party may be subject to criminal charges,” says RCMP.

The investigation is ongoing.

With files from Jayden Wasney