Canada police arrests SFJ coordinator in Hindu temple violence case

The Peel Regional Police on Nov 8 arrested Inderjeet Singh Gosal, Brampton resident in Canada, on charges of assault with a weapon following a violent demonstration at a temple on The Gore Road in Brampton.

The incident occurred on Nov 3, when tensions escalated between two groups of protestors, resulting in physical confrontations.

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is a group that advocates for the creation of a Sikh homeland in India called Khalistan.

Video footage analyzed by investigators with the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) showed individuals using flags and sticks to assault others during the clash.

Gosal (35) identified as one of the participants was taken into custody on Nov 8, and released under conditions.

Gosal, who serves as the Khalistan Referendum coordinator for the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group in Canada, organized the protest outside the temple, reported Toronto Star – Canada's largest online news site.

Gosal was quoted as saying by the Star that his activism has also made him a target, with shots fired at his home earlier this year. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has since issued him a “duty to warn,” advising him of potential threats.

Gosal insisted that the protest was directed entirely against the Indian government and its officials, not the Hindu community. “This is not a Hindu and Sikh battle. This is strictly Sikhs versus the Indian government.” he was quoted as saying.

He also highlighted that a similar protest was conducted peacefully on Nov 7 at Ross Gurdwara in Surrey, BC.

The SIT, which has been set up to investigate the violence that broke out on Nov 3 and Nov 4, continued to review hundreds of videos of incidents incidents and officials are trying to identify additional suspects and further arrests in connection with the demonstration are expected, accordign to media reports.

On Nov 7, the Peel police arrested and charged Ranendra Lal Banerjee, 57, under charges of public incitement of hatred in connection with the incident.

Arrest warrants have also been issued against two young men for allegedly uttering threats and conspiring to commit assault with a weapon. A police officer was recently suspended over the incident after videos showed him charging into the temple on Nov 4.