Canadian Police Arrest Member of Prohibited Group Over Hindu Temple Attack

Ottawa:

Canadian police arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident on charges of armed assault during a violent demonstration at a Hindu temple in the city, authorities said.

On November 3, a protest was held at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, and unverified videos circulating on social media emerged showing demonstrators carrying Khalistani flags. Videos showed fistfights and people hitting each other with poles on the grounds surrounding the temple.

Peel Regional Police intervened in an altercation during the demonstration at the mandir. In the statement made on Saturday, it was stated that the demonstrations became physical and aggressive as the tension between the opposing sides increased.

Police began investigating various crimes that occurred during the demonstration, many of which were captured on video; It was stated that these included people using flags and sticks to attack people.

Investigators from Division 21 Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) arrested and charged Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton, Peel Police said.

Gosal is the Canadian coordinator of the banned Sikhs for Justice group, the Toronto Star reported.

He was arrested on November 8, 2024 and charged with assault with a weapon. It was stated that he was released on condition and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.

Since then, an SIT dedicated to investigating criminal incidents during the events of November 3 and 4 has been established.

On November 3, protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people and disrupted a consular event jointly organized by temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

The incident on Sunday was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

India condemned the attack, expecting those who resorted to violence to be “judged”.

New Delhi remains “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian citizens in Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Relations between India and Canada came under serious strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September last year about the “potential” role of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s accusations, calling them “nonsense”.

India argues that the real issue between the two countries is that Canada is giving space to Khalistani elements operating from Canadian territory with impunity.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is syndicated.)