A massive crowd gathered outside Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Monday night in solidarity with the temple and the community after an attack at the same place a day before.
On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a ‘violent disruption’ near Toronto. Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada, shared a video of the attack on the temple and claimed that pro-Khalistani supporters attacked kids and women.
‘Crossed Red Line’: India Jabs Trudeau After Hindu Devotees Including Kids Attacked In Canada
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau condemned the incident.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” PM Modi said on X.
Earlier, Trudeau had taken to Twitter and said, “The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”
Thousands take out solidarity rally
More than a thousand Canadian Hindus assembled outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on Monday evening to protest against the recent attacks.
The rally saw organizers urging Canadian politicians and law enforcement agencies to cease support for Khalistanis.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) shared details of the event on social media platform X, stating: “Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples. Yesterday, during the sacred #Diwali weekend, Canadian Hindu temples, coast to coast, came under attack. We ask Canada to stop this #Hinduphobia now!”
Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan group with a presence in Canada and the US, said their members were ‘peacefully protesting’ outside the Hindu temple against the presence of Indian consular officials who they say were inside.
Peel police officer suspended after participating in protest outside temple
A peel regional police officer is on suspension after appearing in videos of a protest at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton on Sunday. The officer, Sergeant Harinder Sohi, is an 18-year veteran of the force.
Videos circulating on social media show Sohi at the protest. Peel police spokesperson, Richard Chin, stated, “We are aware of a video circulating on social media which appears to show one of our off duty officers participating in a protest.”
Although no allegations of wrongdoing have been made against Sohi, he has received death threats on social media following his suspension. The Peel Regional Police Association is providing support and protection to Sohi.
Three arrested for violence
Peel regional police said that they made several arrests in connection to the protests in Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario. Four people were arrested, including 43-year-old Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 23-year-old Vikas, and 31-year-old Amritpal Singh.
A fourth individual, who was not identified, was arrested on an outstanding unrelated warrant and released.
Jaishankar says India deeply concerned
External affairs minister S Jaishankar, who is in Australia for the 15th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, was asked about the attack in Brampton.
“What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply concerning…you should have seen the statement by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM yesterday. That should convey to you how deeply we feel about it,” Jaishankar said.