Amy Mek
Brampton, Canada – The Canadian Hindu community is reeling after videos surfaced showing an off-duty Peel Police Sergeant, Harinder Sohi, actively participating in a pro-Khalistani protest outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton. Sgt. Sohi, badge number 3071, is seen waving a Khalistani flag and joining in anti-India and anti-Hindu chants in widely circulated videos. His participation raises serious questions about the role of Canadian law enforcement in preventing—or possibly condoning—political violence.
An Unprecedented Attack on Canadian Hindu Worshippers
On November 3, 2024, a pro-Khalistani group gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Temple, ostensibly to mark the anniversary of the anti-Sikh riots in India following Indira Gandhi’s assassination. However, the demonstration soon escalated, with Khalistani supporters observably trespassing onto temple property and physically assaulting Hindu devotees who had gathered to pray.
The incident, caught on video and shared on social media, shows moments of hostility, with protesters shouting, “Who’s the terrorist?” and crowds responding with, “Indian Government.” At the same time, Sohi appeared to smile and possibly join in these chants.
Violent Escalation and Police Response: What Really Happened November 3
As tensions rose, Hindu devotees began protesting against the anti-India slogans being chanted outside the temple. This peaceful resistance was met with physical violence as Khalistani protesters reportedly crossed onto temple grounds, directly engaging in confrontations with the worshippers. Videos show several Hindu devotees being physically assaulted, with the violence prompting law enforcement to arrive on the scene. Shockingly, Peel Police and RCMP officers reportedly targeted Hindu devotees instead of detaining the Khalistani protesters, pushing the devotees back and, in some cases, engaging in physical altercations with them.
This handling of the incident by law enforcement has raised alarm within the Hindu community, with concerns about potential bias and possible radical infiltration within Canadian police forces. This has led to calls for an internal review and increased demands for transparency regarding law enforcement’s response to such events.
An anonymous X user, Bellator, was one of the first to identify Sgt. Sohi, whose presence in the protest has sparked outrage among community members. Donald Best, a former Toronto Police officer and anti-corruption advocate, contacted Peel Police’s Duty Inspector to report Sohi’s participation. Despite assurances from the communications team, Best had received no response by 1:15 AM, leading him to publish his findings online.
🚨BREAKING🚨 Source: Off-Duty Peel Police Sergeant part of Khalistan mob attacking Hindu Temple.
— DonaldBest.CA * DO NOT COMPLY (@DonaldBestCA) November 4, 2024
A man said to be @PeelPolice Sergeant Harinder SOHI is visible in videos and photographs of the Sunday November 3, 2024 attack at Brampton Hindu Sabha Temple. (Attached)
Purported… pic.twitter.com/fQ4jvTkGwd
Meanwhile, other Canadian police officers reportedly intimidated and physically harmed a young Hindu individual who was protesting the attack on the temple.
This is how a Hindu kid was beaten by Canadian Police for opposing the attack on a Hindu temple….
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) November 4, 2024
Hey clown @JustinTrudeau, You can try something else at night to make your Jagmeet happy.. Have some shame… pic.twitter.com/pcrut5zLYq
What the hell is happening in Canada?!
— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) November 4, 2024
Why was a Hindu teenager brutally beaten by Khalistani extremists—and shockingly, even by the Canadian police—simply for standing up against an attack on a temple?
Why are local cops engaging in physical altercations with peaceful members… pic.twitter.com/58Akvf0rCu
Peel Police’s Silence and Limited Action
While Peel Police eventually suspended Sgt. Sohi, under the Community Safety and Policing Act, has yet to issue a formal statement condemning the sergeant’s actions or addressing the specifics of his involvement. Community advocates fear that such tepid responses could embolden radical elements within law enforcement. More disturbingly, another Peel Police officer, identified as Aditya Pande (badge number 4673), was observed physically restraining Hindu devotees and aiding the protesters, actions captured on a TikTok video shared by the Peel Police themselves.
BREAKING: The RCMP start attacking Hindu worshippers on their own temple grounds in Surrey BC.
— Daniel Bordman (@DanielBordmanOG) November 4, 2024
Watch as an RCMP officer goes into the crowd to go after Hindu devotees after pushing them back to protect the Khalistanis who came to harass the temple goers on Diwali. Punching Hindus… pic.twitter.com/uugAJun59q
This incident adds to growing concerns about perceived favoritism towards pro-Khalistani elements in Canadian law enforcement, particularly as police appear reluctant to intervene when Khalistani supporters desecrate the Indian flag. Yet, authorities have previously targeted Hindu devotees for merely removing Khalistani flags, which many find both hypocritical and discriminatory.
BREAKING: The RCMP start attacking Hindu worshippers on their own temple grounds in Surrey BC.
— Daniel Bordman (@DanielBordmanOG) November 4, 2024
Watch as an RCMP officer goes into the crowd to go after Hindu devotees after pushing them back to protect the Khalistanis who came to harass the temple goers on Diwali. Punching Hindus… pic.twitter.com/uugAJun59q
Hindu Community’s Response and Political Repercussions
Canadian MP Chandra Arya, of Indian descent, denounced the incident, declaring it a dangerous red line. Arya voiced concerns over the infiltration of Khalistani elements within law enforcement, stating, “A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today. The attack on Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.”
A red line has been crossed by Canadian Khalistani extremists today.
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) November 3, 2024
The attack by Khalistanis on the Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen has Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada.
I begin to feel… pic.twitter.com/vPDdk9oble
Arya also lamented that Canada’s freedom of expression laws have allowed radical elements to operate with impunity, encouraging Hindu Canadians to stand firm in demanding accountability from political and law enforcement authorities. Despite Arya’s strong response, both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre avoided directly addressing the Khalistani aggression, seemingly sidestepping the issue in favor of appeasement politics.
A Troubling Pattern in Canadian Institutions
This incident follows recent revelations that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) had employed Sandeep Singh Sidhu, a man reportedly wanted by Indian authorities for terrorism-related offenses. This information has raised further concerns about extremist infiltration into Canadian institutions. CBSA, in response, confirmed Sidhu’s employment but cited the Privacy Act as preventing further comment.
Adding to these concerns, on November 2, a group of pro-Khalistani Sikhs gathered outside the partially abandoned (due to Trudeau’s expulsion of several Indian diplomats) Indian High Commission in Ottawa, demanding an independent Khalistan.
Separately, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh activist and leader of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), delivered an inflammatory speech, calling on China to attack India and seize territories and even predicted India’s “non-existence by 2047.” Pannun, a well-known figure in the Khalistani movement, claims to have had an advisory relationship with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for several years, which has intensified suspicions regarding his influence on Canadian policy and law enforcement.
These incidents have fueled growing fears within the Hindu community that radical elements with political connections are leveraging Canadian institutions to further anti-India agendas. For many, the events at the Hindu Sabha Temple are emblematic of a broader issue: the Canadian government’s history of shielding individuals with extremist or criminal backgrounds, some of whom have now secured positions in law enforcement and security agencies. The attack at the Brampton temple, coupled with inaction by Canadian authorities, fuels suspicions that parts of the Canadian establishment may not only tolerate but also enable such radicalism.
PM Modi Condemns Attack on Hindu Temple, Calls on Canadian Government for Justice
In a strong statement on Monday, November 4, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the violent attack on the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, a very South Asian part of Toronto in Canada. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi expressed deep concern over the incident, urging the Canadian government to deliver justice and uphold the rule of law.
“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. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” Modi posted, emphasizing India’s commitment to protecting its diaspora and diplomatic presence.
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. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2024
Modi’s statement also referenced recent efforts by radical elements in Canada to intimidate Indian diplomats, which he labeled as “cowardly attempts.” These actions, including targeted threats and protests outside Indian missions, have drawn international attention to the growing hostility faced by Indian representatives in Canada. Modi’s comments underscore India’s expectation that Canada takes decisive action to protect its diplomatic personnel and ensure the safety of the Indian community within its borders.
The Prime Minister’s remarks serve as a powerful reminder of India’s resolve to stand firm against intimidation and extremism while calling on Canada to fulfill its responsibility to safeguard the rights and safety of all citizens and diplomatic entities on its soil.
CoHNA Calls for Peaceful Protest Against Anti-Hindu Violence in Canada
In response to recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has organized a peaceful protest to stand in solidarity against “Khalistani intimidation” and “anti-Hindu hatred.”
The protest is scheduled for Monday at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton and the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey.
“Join us for a peaceful protest tomorrow, November 4th, at 6 PM at Hindu Sabha Temple, Brampton, and Laxmi Narayan Temple, Surrey,” CoHNA announced on X.
“After a day of violence against Hindu temples in Canada, let’s stand united against Khalistani intimidation and anti-Hindu hate,” the organization added.
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