LEWISVILLE, TEXAS: A video of a Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in the parking lot of an Indian grocery store in Lewisville, Texas, has ignited a heated debate online, dividing social media users over whether the gathering is a vibrant display of cultural pride or an unwelcome public nuisance.
The clip, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user Avi Dandiya, shows a group of drummers performing in the open parking area outside the India Bazaar store to mark the festival. In his post, Dandiya criticized the gathering as an “unsanctioned” event, tagging city officials and police and arguing that such festivities should be confined to temples.
“This public nuisance in USA is becoming a habit by recently immigrated Indians,” Dandiya wrote. “We have enough temples to do all this, public nuisance shouldn’t be tolerated at any cost.”
Divided Reactions Online
The video has drawn mixed reactions from the online community. Many users supported Dandiya’s view, criticizing the participants for their “zero civic sense” and arguing that immigrants should adapt to the local culture.
“Why do they think they are in borivali?” one user commented, referring to a neighborhood in Mumbai. Another user wrote, “If people are so Indian by heart why do they prefer to leave India? They can do all this living in their own country.”
However, others defended the gathering, calling the criticism “unfair and prejudiced.” Supporters argued that the celebration was a harmless and joyous community event. One user responded by citing Texas law, stating, “As per Texas laws playing music in public is not prohibited nor are gatherings of small groups… so the group enjoying drums and having a small gathering at Ganesha is perfectly legal.”
The debate highlights the broader conversation about cultural integration and public space, with the video serving as a flashpoint for contrasting views on how immigrants should celebrate their heritage in their new homes.