Mississauga's BollywoodMonster Mashup Goes Three Days as Crossbow Video at Sikh Parade Goes Uninvestigated
Mississauga's South Asian community is preparing for the biggest edition yet of BollywoodMonster Mashup, Canada's largest South Asian festival, which is expanding to three days for the first time in its 16-year history. Meanwhile, a viral video allegedly showing a man openly carrying a crossbow at a Sikh community parade in the city prompted no police action, with Peel Regional Police saying they were unable to verify the footage despite a visible Mississauga street sign appearing in the background.
Canada's Largest South Asian Festival Expands to Three Days
BollywoodMonster Mashup, now in its 16th year, is returning to Mississauga next month as a free, three-day outdoor celebration — marking the first time in the festival's history that Sunday programming has been added to its existing two-day format. More than 40 food vendors are already confirmed ahead of the full roster announcement, with signature South Asian street foods including momos and pav among the expected offerings. Beyond the food, the festival features extensive live entertainment drawing performers and artists from across the South Asian diaspora. Since its founding, BollywoodMonster Mashup has grown to become Canada's largest South Asian celebration, drawing attendees from across Ontario and cementing Mississauga as a hub for South Asian cultural life in the country. The expansion to a third day reflects both growing community demand and escalating ambition from organisers who have steadily broadened the event's footprint over successive years. Full details on Sunday performers and programming schedules are expected to be released in the weeks ahead of the festival's return. The event remains free to attend, preserving its long-standing tradition of accessible, community-centred celebration open to all. [1]
Police Decline to Investigate Crossbow Video from Sikh Parade
A video allegedly filmed by Prabhjot Singh Johal, described as a Khalistani activist and social media user, went viral after appearing to show a Sikh man openly carrying a crossbow at a Sikh community event in Mississauga. A street sign for Brandon Gate Drive — a Mississauga address — is clearly visible in the background of the footage. Despite these visual markers placing the scene in the city, Peel Regional Police told Juno News that they were 'unable to confirm the authenticity' of the video and that no such incident had been formally reported in connection with the Khalsa Day parade held in Mississauga on May 3. The response drew criticism from observers who questioned why the visible street signage was not sufficient to open an inquiry. The force maintained that without a verified complaint or confirmed footage, no investigation was initiated. The incident has raised broader questions about how police handle viral social media footage involving community events, particularly where the authenticity of recordings cannot be independently confirmed. It has also prompted discussions in the Peel Region about safety protocols at Sikh cultural gatherings and how incidents captured on film but not formally reported to authorities should be handled. [2]
Sources: [1] curiocity.com · [2] junonews.com