Peel Regional Police, Canada, announced Thursday (November 14) an interim decision exonerating police officer Harinder Sohi, who was seen holding a Khalistani flag during a chaotic attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton on November 3. The protest, which escalated into a violent clash, involved pro-Khalistani extremists allegedly attacking people inside the temple while chanting anti-India slogans.

The incident

The attack took place as members of the local Indian community gathered at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton for a consular event hosted by the Indian High Commission.

During the rally, a group of pro-Khalistani extremists allegedly stormed the temple premises, chanting slogans and waving flags associated with the Khalistan movement. Tensions quickly escalated when physical altercations broke out between protesters and temple worshipers.

Videos circulating on social media show participants from both sides getting into fights and brandishing flagpoles as makeshift weapons. Amid the unrest, Peel Regional Police Sergeant Harinder Sohi was filmed holding a Khalistan flag, sparking public outrage and calls for his suspension.

Following these events, Sohi was suspended by Peel Regional Police while an internal investigation was launched. Sohi’s presence at the protest and his apparent display of the Khalistan flag raised questions about his role in the incident, with some community members and social media users accusing him of aligning with the protesters.

The viral video showed him, dressed in civilian clothes and apparently resting, in the middle of the crowd, fueling criticism that a law enforcement officer appeared to be involved in a politically charged protest.

Critics on social media questioned whether Sohi’s actions contributed to rising tensions and accused him of failing to defuse the violence. These claims were reinforced by video footage that some said portrayed Sohi as more aligned with the protesters than a peacekeeper trying to control the situation.

Statement from Peel Police on Sohi’s actions

Peel Regional Police responded to the public backlash by launching an investigation into Sohi’s conduct, culminating in Thursday’s statement. According to Peel police, body camera footage from Sohi and other officers showed the sergeant acting within the scope of his official duties, attempting to disarm individuals who refused to surrender their potential weapons.

Police confirmed that Sohi and other officers were present to manage the crowd and prevent further violence from breaking out around the temple premises. The statement said Sohi’s appearance with a Khalistan flag was part of an attempt to defuse a dangerous situation, as he tried to grab a weapon from a protester who had become confrontational.

During the altercation, Sohi allegedly managed to snatch a flagpole from one of the protesters and held it briefly before returning to help disperse the crowd.

Peel police spokesperson Constable Tyler Bell-Morena noted that “the video does not show the full extent of the efforts made by the officer to disarm the individuals and prevent further harm.”

Bell-Morena further added that officers on scene, including Sohi, were actively trying to de-escalate a situation that had already reached dangerous levels, with participants brandishing bats, sticks and flag poles as weapons.

Review of body camera footage

Peel police reviewed body-worn camera footage as part of their investigation, which showed Sohi approaching a protester holding a stick and attempting to grab it. The individual resisted, leading to a brief physical struggle before Sohi took control of the baton and the crowd dispersed.

Police authorities confirmed that the investigation concluded that Sohi’s actions were in the “lawful exercise of his duties” and did not indicate personal alignment with the Khalistani movement or any intention to incite conflict.

Body camera footage, reviewed by Peel Regional Police’s internal affairs unit, also supported Sohi’s account that he was trying to prevent the use of makeshift weapons and manage a volatile crowd. Despite the chaotic appearance of the incident in social media clips, police claimed Sohi’s actions were aimed at preventing further escalation and injuries.

The temple attack sparked strong reactions from Indian and Canadian communities, concerned about rising tensions between pro-Khalistani activists and Indian nationals in Canada.

The incident prompted India’s foreign ministry to express concerns over the safety of Indian nationals and their places of worship in Canada. India urged Canadian authorities to take measures to prevent similar incidents and safeguard the peace and security of the Indian diaspora.