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3 arrested and charged after protest at Brampton Hindu temple, police say
A crowd gathers outside Hindu Sabha Mandir temple Sunday evening, hours after a protest outside the temple prompted a police investigation. (Britnei Bilhete/CBC)
Photo: (Britnei Bilhete/CBC)
Unverified videos appear to show an altercation involving protesters outside the temple
Peel Regional Police say they have charged three people following a protest outside a Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday that was widely condemned by political leaders at all levels of government.
Police did not elaborate on the nature of the charges or the accused in a brief statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, in the early morning hours Monday.
They added, however, that they are continuing to investigate several acts of unlawfulness
and that more information could be forthcoming.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India (new window), and clashing with other individuals, including some holding India's national flag.
The videos appear to show fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.
CBC Toronto has not been able to independently verify what happened in the videos.
Peel police said the event was eventually moved to two other locations in neighbouring Mississauga, where further demonstrations also took place.
On Sunday afternoon, police said they were aware of the protest and had increased their presence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple to maintain public order and safety.
We respect the right to protest in a peaceful and safe manner but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts,
Chief Nishan Duraiappah posted on X Sunday after the videos began circulating. Those that do participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested and charged.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the violence, saying those responsible should be punished to the greatest extent of the law.
I am disappointed to hear about acts of violence outside of the Hindu Sabha,
he said. Religious freedom is a foundational value in Canada. Everyone should feel safe in their place of worship.
Brown later added he intends to introduce a motion at Brampton city council to explore the possibility of prohibiting protests outside places of worship in the municipality.
On Sunday evening, Premier Doug Ford called the incident unacceptable
in a post on X.
Other politicians echoed that condemnation on social media, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
Relations between the Canadian and Indian governments have grown tense over allegations of violence against Canadian Sikhs. Ottawa has accused India's home minister of being behind several attacks on Sikh activists on Canadian soil. The Indian government denies the accusations.
WATCH | How the pro-Khalistan movement impacts Canada-India tensions:
How the pro-Khalistan movement impacts Canada-India tensions | Power & Politics
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said there have been ‘well over a dozen’ credible threats to members of Canada's South Asian community, specifically members of the pro-Khalistan movement. India says the Trudeau government ‘has consciously provided space to violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada.' Former B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh and Balpreet Singh of the World Sikh Organization of Canada give their perspectives of how these issues affect diaspora communities inside Canada.
The group Sikhs for Justice says that the Khalistan supporters had been protesting Indian consulate officials undertaking an announced visit to provide administrative services such as helping seniors access pensions.
- Why Canada is becoming the focus of India's concerns about the Sikh separatist movement (new window)
Sikhs for Justice alleged Hindu nationalists had provoked the fighting and has claimed Indian officials use visits to religious sites to find informants to target Sikh separatists.
The group is asking that Indian consular officials be barred from undertaking work outside of their diplomatic premises, arguing external site visits directly endanger the safety and security of pro-Khalistan citizens in Canada.
The Indian high commission in Ottawa condemned the violence and said it is disappointing to see the protests during routine consular work,
and added plans for further visits to temples would only happen if adequate security arrangements were made by local authorities.
It says that would ensure the safety of officials, organizers and attendees.
Liberal MP Chandra Arya accused Canadian Khalistani extremists
of attacking Hindus, saying they are getting a free pass in Canada.
The clashes come as Hindus celebrate the Diwali holiday and amid mounting tensions between Canada and India.
Last month, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats over allegations they used their positions to collect information on Canadians in the pro-Khalistan independence movement and then passed the details on to criminal gangs who targeted the individuals directly.
India has long accused Canada of harbouring pro-Khalistan terrorists that New Delhi has asked Ottawa to extradite, though Canadian officials say those requests often lack adequate proof.
Tensions have not been confined to Ontario.
This past Friday, a judge with British Columbia's Supreme Court granted an order to establish a buffer zone around one of the province's largest Sikh temples in advance of expected confrontations between protesters and Indian consular officials this weekend.
The request came from leaders of a Sikh temple who said they expected intense protests
at two Indian consular events, commonly known as consular camps.
CBC News with files from The Canadian Press
