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    • Why did violent protests break out in Brampton and Mississauga?
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    Why did violent protests break out in Brampton and Mississauga?

    Pabio Posted on


    Why did violent protests break out in Brampton and Mississauga?

    X / @ThéophanesRex

    Protests have taken place at places of worship in Brampton and Mississauga in recent days, including violence in some cases.

    Peel Regional Police have announced some arrests in connection with the demonstrations and a Peel police officer was suspended for allegedly participating in a demonstration.

    Violence outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton first erupted on Sunday, with police declaring a second protest Monday evening an “unlawful assembly” and ordering demonstrators to disperse.

    Protests also took place in Mississauga, including at a Sikh gurdwara.

    What happened?

    Peel police announced Sunday afternoon that they had an increased presence in the middle of a demonstration at the Hindu temple on The Gore Road.

    “We respect the right to peaceful and safe protest, but we will not tolerate violence or criminal acts; those who participate in this activity will be prosecuted, arrested and charged,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah in a post on X.

    Videos show protesters holding banners in support of a separate Sikh country called Khalistan, clashing with others, including some waving India’s national flag, outside the temple.

    The protest turned violent as fights broke out and people hit each other with wooden flag poles.

    Protests then moved to the Westwood Mall area in Mississauga, police said in a news release early Monday morning. The same group of protesters then moved to the area of ​​the Airport and Derry Roads in Mississauga, police said.

    A police officer was injured during the clashes and treated in hospital for minor injuries. No other physical injuries were reported.

    Three people were arrested and criminally charged.

    Brampton South MLA Prabmeet Sarkaria reported on X that protests took place at a Sikh place of worship in Mississauga.

    “The illegal acts that occurred this evening at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Malton Mississauga were completely unacceptable,” he said.

    The demonstration sparked condemnation from Sikh organizations.

    Then on Monday, large crowds of demonstrators returned to the temple again in Brampton.

    This led to road closures in the area and police advised drivers to take different routes.

    Shortly before 10 p.m., police ordered protesters to disperse.

    “Weapons were observed by police during the demonstration,” police said in a post on X.

    “This is now an unlawful assembly. The public order unit advises the crowd to disperse. All parties must leave the area now or risk arrest.

    It is not known whether any arrests were made during this demonstration.

    In Surrey, British Columbia, three arrests were also made after a protest at a Hindu temple.

    Why did this happen?

    The Khalistan movement is an independence movement calling for the creation of a Sikh state. Its supporters want to see the state of Punjab separate from India and become Khalistan.

    The group Sikhs For Justice said the demonstration in Brampton took place to protest the presence of Indian consulate officials inside the temple.

    Consulate officials said they were there to provide administrative services, such as helping elderly people access their pensions, but the group says such visits are used to find informants to obtain information on separatists Sikhs.

    The Indian High Commission in Ottawa did not immediately respond to the complaints.

    The Sikh Council and Gurdwara of Ontario condemned the demonstration.

    India has long accused Canada of harboring “pro-Khalistan terrorists” whom New Delhi has asked Ottawa to extradite, although Canadian officials say such requests often lack adequate evidence.

    Last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau caused a diplomatic rift when he announced that Canadian officials suspected Indian government agents of playing a role in the murder of a Sikh temple leader in Surrey in June 2023.

    These tensions flared last month when Canada expelled six Indian diplomats over allegations that they used their positions to gather information about Canadians participating in the pro-Khalistan independence movement, then passed the details to criminal gangs who directly targeted individuals.

    India said Canada had not provided any evidence to support the allegations.

    What did political leaders say?

    Reactions poured in from political leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats,” Modi said in an article on X.

    “Such acts of violence never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to guarantee justice and uphold the rule of law.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also commented on what happened in Brampton, condemning the violence.

    “The acts of violence committed today at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton are unacceptable,” he said. “Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. »

    And Premier Doug Ford also spoke.

    “The violence that occurred this afternoon at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton is completely unacceptable and must be condemned. No one should feel unsafe in their place of worship,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he would bring a motion to city council to consider banning protests at places of worship.

    “Places of worship must be safe spaces, free from violence and intimidation,” he said.

    Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said hatred “in any form is unacceptable” and condemned what happened in Mississauga and Brampton.

    “Freedom of expression is a fundamental right we cherish as Canadians, but hate speech and harassment will not be tolerated in Mississauga or anywhere else,” Parrish said of the incidents in a statement.

    — With files from Ryan Rocca, Karen Longwell, The Canadian Press

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