The video shows the New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, the only Sikh political leader in Canada, and also the first non-white leader of an opposition party, as he exchanges pleasantries with an elderly voter from Montreal, Quebec.
The man then leans in closer to Singh to make a suggestion saying, “You should cut your turban off, and you’ll look like a Canadian.”
The video has gone viral, garnering 1.5 million views since being posted. It has evoked a sharp response from netizens with many of them slamming it for bigotry and discrimination.
"I think Canadians look like all sorts of people- that's the beauty of Canada," Singh responded.
"In Rome, you do as the Romans do," the man replied.
"But this is Canada, you can do whatever you like," said Singh.
"Alright, take care," the man responded. "I hope you win."
Turbans represent primary religious identity for Sikhs in any part of the world.
The turban-clad New Democratic Party leader Singh later took to Twitter to share the video of his brief interaction with the Canadian voter.
Countering the views of the Canadian voter, Singh took to Twitter and said, “Many Canadians are told that we must change who we are to succeed. My message to you: do not change who you are. Everyone deserves his place.”
The video was met by angry netizens who vehemently opposed it calling it a “racist attack”.
Singh won the hearts of many by handling the situation gracefully.
However, a section of Twitter users raised doubts over the video and called it a staged act to attract voters.
Earlier this year, legislation was passed to prohibit civil servants, teachers and police from wearing religious symbols like turbans, Kripans (sword) and Kadas (steel bracelets) at work.