Last update:05 November 2024, 00:17 IST

The suspended police officer, identified as Harinder Sohi, was filmed holding a Khalistan flag as other participants in the protest chanted anti-India slogans.

Peel police officer Harinder Sohi suspended for protesting outside Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton | Image/X

A Canadian police officer was suspended Monday after he was seen participating in pro-Khalistani groups that launched an attack on Hindus at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton.

The suspended police officer, identified as Harinder Sohi, was filmed holding a Khalistan flag as other participants in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. He served as a sergeant with the Peel Regional Police.

Peel Regional Police have confirmed they are aware of a video online showing an off-duty officer actively participating in the protest.

“This officer has since been suspended under the Community Safety and Policing Act,” Richard Chin, media relations manager, said in a statement to CBC.

He also said the department is investigating the circumstances of this incident and will share more details once the investigation is complete.

This comes amid continued outcry over the attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton by Khalistani elements on Sunday. Protesters carrying Khalistan flags reached the temple premises and clashed with devotees, disrupting a consular event co-organized by temple authorities and the Indian consulate.

Videos of the incident, widely shared online – including by Canadian MPs – showed a group of men brandishing sticks and attacking worshipers outside the Hindu Sabha temple, where an Indian consular camp was being held.

Soon after the attack on the Hindu temple stopped, videos surfaced online showing law enforcement confronting temple worshipers amid the chaos.

Arrest 3 by Canadian police

Peel Regional Police in Canada said they arrested three individuals following a demonstration organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) to protest “intimidation of Khalistanis” and “anti- Hindu” after recent attacks on Hindu temples. in Canada.

In an official statement released Monday, Peel Regional Police said the protest “subsequently” moved to two different locations in the City of Mississauga and that the charges would be investigated by the police. of its criminal investigation office of the 21st division as well as that of the 12th division. The individuals were arrested on criminal charges, police added.

The three people arrested have been identified as Dilpreet Singh Bouns, a 43-year-old man from Mississauga, Vikas, a 23-year-old man from Brampton, and Amritpal Singh, a 31-year-old man also from Mississauga.

PM Modi condemns attack on Hindu temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the “deliberate attack” on a Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton and called the violence a “cowardly attempt” to intimidate Indian diplomats in the country, making his first statement against the violence continues against the Indians by the pro-Khalistan supporters.

Taking a strong stand in support of Indians across the world, Prime Minister Modi asked the Canadian government to respond to the attacks and ensure that the judiciary “upholds the rule of law.”

“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 never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” Prime Minister Modi said in an X post.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi’s strong remark against Canada came at a time when Ottawa was making a series of baseless allegations against New Delhi, accusing the Indian government of orchestrating violence in the country.

On Saturday, Ottawa designated New Delhi as a cyber threat adversary, suggesting that state-sponsored actors could spy on the city. India has repeatedly rejected Canada’s allegations and asked Trudeau to submit any credible information to support his claims.