A man has been charged with publicly inciting hatred after a video captured someone calling for groups to storm Sikh temples during a protest in Brampton earlier this week.

This happened outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir on The Gore Road on Monday evening. Peel Regional Police said, “Tensions between opposing sides have increased,” prompting them to deploy their public order unit to disperse the crowd.

Officers also observed armed people, leading them to announce that the protest was illegal.

“Following the protests, several videos began circulating online showing several offenses in progress, including a video of an individual using a loudspeaker inciting violence and hatred,” said Constable of Peel. » Tyler Bell-Morena said in a video statement.

Police then launched an investigation which resulted in the arrest of 57-year-old Ranendra Lal Banerjee. from Toronto on Wednesday. After being charged, he was released on conditions and is due to appear in court in Brampton later.

Police also issued arrest warrants for Armaan Gahlot, 24, of Kitchener, and Arpit, 22, who they say does not have a last name. They are wanted for uttering threats of death or bodily harm, conspiracy to commit armed assault and conspiracy to commit mischief.

The two men are invited to consult a lawyer and turn into police officers.

“As investigators attempt to locate these individuals, they are encouraged to consult an attorney and turn themselves into law enforcement,” Bell-Morena said.

He added: “Peel Regional Police respect the right of all people to lawfully and peacefully assemble. However, violence and crime are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Our department will thoroughly investigate such incidents.

Monday’s protest came a day after another protest involving people waving Khalistan flags outside the temple turned violent.

The protesters, who were demanding Sikh independence in India, clashed with worshipers as Indian officials were inside the temple to hold a financial workshop for the elderly.

Politicians at all levels of government have condemned the recent incidents. Ontario municipalities are now considering creating a bylaw that would ban protests near institutions such as places of worship and schools.

Officials representing Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras also condemned the violent incidents, calling them unacceptable.

“No one should feel unsafe in and around their place of worship,” the Hindu Sabha chairman said in a written statement on Wednesday. “Hindu Sabha represents peace and happiness in both our communities.

The Hindu temple has confirmed that it has suspended one of its priests for allegedly encouraging hate speech.

At a news conference Wednesday, Jarmanjit Singh of the Ontario Gurdwara Committee said the incidents were not caused by Hindu-Sikh conflict, but by “pro-Indian” groups.

“Our message is clear: this is not a clash between Hindus and Sikhs. We welcome Hindus and vice versa,” Singh said.

Bhagat Singh Brar, also of the Ontario Gurdwara Committee, added that Sunday’s protest was not against the Hindu community but against Indian officials providing consular services at the temple.

Canada recently accused India’s interior minister of targeting Sikh activists, which the Indian government denied. Last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced there were “credible allegations” that the Indian government was linked to the murder of a British Columbia Sikh activist.

On Thursday, the Indian consulate in Toronto announced it was suspending some of its diplomatic visits to process paperwork at places like religious temples following the violent incidents.

With files from Phil Tsekouras and The Canadian Press