Brampton Hindu temple attack: Police arrest one more person for violence
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Canadian authorities have apprehended a 35-year-old resident of Brampton on charges of assault with a weapon, following a violent demonstration at a Hindu temple in the city, as reported by officials.
On November 3, a protest took place at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, where unverified videos shared on social media appeared to depict demonstrators brandishing banners in support of Khalistan. The footage showed physical altercations, with individuals striking one another with poles in the vicinity of the temple.
The Peel Regional Police intervened in response to the conflict that erupted during the demonstration at the Mandir. As tensions escalated between opposing factions, the protests turned physical and aggressive, according to a statement released on Saturday. The police initiated an investigation into various offenses that transpired during the demonstration, many of which were recorded on video, including instances of individuals using flags and sticks to assault others.
Investigators from the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) have arrested and charged Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton, as stated by the Peel Police. Gosal is identified as the coordinator for Sikhs for Justice in Canada, according to the Toronto Star. He was arrested on November 8, 2024, and charged with assault with a weapon. Following his arrest, he was released under certain conditions and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.
A dedicated SIT has been established to investigate incidents of criminal activity related to the events of November 3 and 4.
During the protest on November 3, demonstrators carrying Khalistani flags clashed with attendees, disrupting a consular event co-hosted by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.
The incident on Sunday was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who affirmed that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.
India has denounced the attack, expressing the expectation that those involved in the violence “will be prosecuted.” The Ministry of External Affairs stated that New Delhi remains “deeply concerned” about the safety of individuals involved.
Hindu temple in Brampton suspends priest for spreading ‘violent rhetoric’
A priest at a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, has been suspended for allegedly promoting “violent rhetoric” amid recent confrontations involving protesters waving Khalistani flags and attendees at the temple.
The incident took place on November 3 at the Hindu Sabha temple, where unverified footage shared on social media appeared to depict demonstrators brandishing Khalistani banners. The videos captured scenes of physical altercations, with individuals striking one another with poles in the vicinity of the temple grounds.
Protesters displaying Khalistani flags clashed with attendees, disrupting a consular event that was co-hosted by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate. A statement released by the Hindu Sabha Mandir on Wednesday indicated that the priest’s suspension was a result of his “controversial involvement” with the protesters on that day, although further details were not provided, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown addressed the situation on X, condemning the priest for disseminating “violent rhetoric” and urging the community to refrain from responding to violence and hatred. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating that the majority of Sikh and Hindu Canadians desire peaceful coexistence and reject violence. The president of Hindu Sabha Mandir, Madhusudan Lama, confirmed the suspension of the priest responsible for the inflammatory remarks. Brown also noted that the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council condemned the violent actions that occurred at the Hindu Sabha that evening. He reminded the community of their shared values and called for a collective effort to prevent division and hostility, asserting that law enforcement would be present to manage the situation, as it is their responsibility to uphold the rule of law.
