News Brief
Canadian Police Officer Suspended For Participating In Pro-Khalistan Protest Outside Hindu Temple In Brampton
Pic Via X
A Canadian police officer was suspended on Monday (4 November) after the circulation of a video on social media in which he was seen participating in a pro-Khalistan protests outside a Hindu temple in Brampton.
The suspended Peel Regional Police officer, identified as Harinder Sohi, was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag, while others in the protest chanted anti-India slogans, CBC News reported.
Sohi held the rank of Sergeant with the Peel Regional Police.
Peel Regional Police Media Relations Officer Richard Chin informed CBC News via email that they are "aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel Police officer involved in a demonstration."
"This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act," he said.
"We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until this investigation is complete," he added.
Earlier, Peel Regional Police said three people have been charged after violence erupted as Indian consular officials visited the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple on Sunday.
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.
Taking strong note of the "deliberate attack", Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought accountability from the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government and expected it would ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "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."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it remains "deeply concerned" about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada, adding that it expects that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted.
"We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
