Canada arrests SFJ coordinator for assault after temple clash in Brampton | India News – Times of India

OTTAWA: Canadian police have arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident on charges of assault with a weapon during a violent demonstration at a Hindu temple in the city, authorities said.
On November 3, a protest took place at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show protesters holding banners in support of Khalistan.
The videos showed fist fights and people hitting each other with poles in what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple.
Peel police responded to the altercation during the demonstration at the temple. As tensions between the opposing sides increased, the demonstrations became physical and offensive, a statement said on Saturday.
Police began investigating several violations that occurred during the demonstration, many of which were captured on video; including individuals using flags and sticks to attack people, the report said. Investigators from the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) have arrested and charged Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton, the Peel police statement said.
An SIT has since been formed to investigate incidents of crime during the November 3 and 4 incidents. On November 3, protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people and disrupted a consular event co-organized by temple authorities and the Indian consulate.
Gosal is a Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) coordinator for Canada, the Toronto Star reported. The US-based SFJ is banned in India. On November 8, he was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon. He was released on conditions and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.
Sunday’s incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”
India had condemned the attack expecting that those indulging in violence “will be prosecuted”. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Delhi remains “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.
Relations between India and Canada were under strain following Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of a “potential involvement” of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi had dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd”. India has maintained that the main issue between the two countries is that Canada should give space to pro-Khalistan elements operating with impunity from Canadian soil.