Canadian police officer suspended for attending pro-Khalistan protest outside Hindu temple in Brampton

A Canadian police officer was suspended on Monday (4 November) after a video of him participating in pro-Khalistan protests outside a Hindu temple in Brampton went viral on social media.

The suspended Peel regional police officer, identified as Harinder Sohi, was caught on camera holding a Khalistan flag while others at the protest chanted anti-India slogans, CBC News reported.

Sohi held the rank of sergeant with the Peel Regional Police.

Peel Regional Police media relations officer Richard Chin informed CBC News via email that they are “aware of a video circulating on social media showing an off-duty Peel Police officer involved in a demonstration.”

“This officer has since been suspended under the Safety and Community Policing Act,” he said.

“We are investigating the full circumstances described in the video and cannot provide any further information until this investigation is complete,” he added.

Earlier, Peel Regional Police said three people were charged after violence broke out when Indian consular officials visited the Hindu temple Sabha Mandir on Sunday.

Videos widely shared online show demonstrators with pro-Khalistan banners engaging in clashes with others, some of whom were carrying India’s national flag.

The videos appear to show fist fights and people hitting each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu temple Sabha Mandir.

Calling it a “deliberate attack”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the Canadian government led by Justin Trudeau accountable and expected it to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

In a post on X, PM Modi said: “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 will never weaken India’s resolve”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it remains “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada, adding that it expects those who engage in violence to be prosecuted.

“We condemn the acts of violence committed by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We appeal to the Canadian government to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.