Canada temple attack: SFJ coordinator Inderjeet Gosal released after arrest

Canadian police have arrested Inderjeet Gosal, reportedly the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) coordinator for Canada, in connection with the violentattack at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on November 3.

The US-based SFJ is banned in India.

The 35-year-old Gosal is a Brampton resident and he faces charges of assault with a weapon during the demonstration, news agency PTI has reported quoting unnamed authorities.

What happened on November 3?

The attack at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton took place on November 3, with unverified videos circulating on social media showing demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan.

The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with flag poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple.

Also read: Canada: Indian consulate cancels camps over security concerns; temple suspends priest

The Peel Regional Police responded to the altercation during the demonstration at the temple. As tensions between opposing sides increased, the demonstrations became physical and assaultive, a statement said on Saturday.

Police began investigating several offences that occurred during the demonstration, many of which were captured on video, including individuals using flags and sticks to assault people, it said.

Gosal arrested and charged

Investigators from the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) have arrested and charged Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton, the Peel Police statement said.

Also read: Temple attack proves Canada giving space to ‘extremist forces’: Jaishankar

Gosal is SFJ coordinator for Canada, the Toronto Star reported. On November 8, he was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon. He was released on conditions and is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date, it said.

A SIT dedicated to investigating incidents of criminality during the November 3 and 4 incidents has since been formed.

India, Canada statements

On November 3, the protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

The Sunday incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely.

Also read: Canadian cop who took part in pro-Khalistan protest at Hindu temple suspended

India condemned the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence “will be prosecuted”.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi remains “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.

Souring ties

The relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.

New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s charges as “absurd”.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.

(With agency inputs)