The Canadian police recently apprehended Inderjeet Gosal, a prominent operative of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group banned in India. Gosal’s arrest is linked to last week’s pro-Khalistani assault on Hindu worshippers at a temple in Brampton, Ontario, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Gosal holds the position of SFJ’s coordinator for Canada and was closely associated with Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani terrorist who was killed earlier. Gosal was also the organizer of a recent Khalistan referendum, which called for an independent Sikh state in India’s Punjab region, as reported by the Toronto Star.
Authorities have charged the 35-year-old with assault using a weapon in relation to the violent protest staged outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir. In a public statement, Peel Region Police stated, “On November 8, 2024, he [Gosal] was arrested and charged with Assault with a Weapon. He was released on conditions and is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.”
This arrest follows the detention of three others connected to the temple violence and subsequent protests. The incident in question occurred on November 4, during a pro-Khalistani demonstration held near the temple to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots in India. As tensions escalated, members of the demonstration launched an assault on Hindu devotees attending the temple, sparking swift international outrage. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, referring to it as a “deliberate attack” and a “cowardly attempt to intimidate our diplomats.” The violence also drew international criticism, highlighting tensions surrounding Canada’s handling of such incidents.
The Peel Region Police have acknowledged the complexity of the investigation. According to their statement, investigations of this nature require time, and individuals are detained as they are identified without following any specific sequence. “A Strategic Investigative Team dedicated to investigating incidents of criminality during the November 3 and 4 incidents has since been formed,” said the police. They added, “Investigators continue to analyse hundreds of videos of the incidents and are working to identify additional suspects involved in criminality and anticipate further arrests.”
The violence at the Brampton temple ignited significant public demonstrations, attracting both Hindu and Sikh communities. The protests initially concentrated outside the Brampton temple but soon spread to two additional sites in Mississauga, with hundreds of people from both communities gathering to voice their sentiments.
In a related development, a Canadian police officer named Harinder Sohi was suspended for participating in the pro-Khalistan demonstration. Video footage captured Sohi holding a Khalistan flag while protesters around him chanted anti-India slogans.
