“Feel So Bad for London:” Hindu Ritual in London Sparks Debate.

Hindu ritual in London sparks debate

An Instagram reel showing a chariot procession in Lewisham, London, has gone viral. The footage is of Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus performing Angapradakshinam, where devotees roll on the floor as an act of devotion.

The reel is captioned “Feel so Bad for London,” and reflects wider anti-immigration sentiments across the Western world.

The reel was posted by ouramericandream.vlogs, an NRI content creator in the US. He criticised such displays of devotion, asking how the viewer would feel if their guest started rolling on their floor.

This reel sparked a wider debate about assimilation, civic sense, and the responsibilities of immigrants. Many users argued that seeking a better life abroad should involve adapting to local norms.

However, supporters pointed out the participants have been residents of London for decades. The roads were also closed after legal permission was acquired.

Roads are also closed on events like St. Patrick’s day and Notting Hill Carnival. This leads to the fact that South Asian rituals are being selecively targeted.

Many users also misidentified the participants as NRIs, when in fact they are Sri Lankan. This reflects the broader sentiment Indians being loud, noisy, and uncivilised abroad.

This is a long running debate, and it is Indians who are associated with such displays. As a result, it is us who end up taking blame, even when it isn’t our fault.