A 35-year-old Brampton resident was taken into custody by Canadian police on suspicion of assault with a weapon following a violent protest at a city Hindu temple, according to authorities.
Unverified videos that have been making the rounds on social media seem to show protesters hoisting banners in support of Khalistan at a demonstration that took place at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on November 3. On what appeared to be the grounds around the temple, the films showed fistfights and individuals hitting each other with rods.
The fight at the Mandir during the protest was broken up by the Peel Regional Police. According to a statement released on Saturday, the protests turned violent and aggressive as hostilities between the two sides grew.
Police began investigating several offences that occurred during the demonstration, many of which were captured on video; including individuals using flags and sticks to assault people, it said.
Investigators from the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) have arrested and charged l Inderjeet Gosaof Brampton, the Peel Police statement said.
Gosal, is Sikhs for Justice coordinator for Canada, it was reported. The US-based SFJ is banned in India.
On November 8, 2024, he was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon. He was released on conditions and is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date, it said.
A SIT dedicated to investigating incidents of criminality during the November 3 and 4 incidents has since been formed.
On November 3, the protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.
The Sunday incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely.
India condemned the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence "will be prosecuted".
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi remains "deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.
The relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".
India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.
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