Ottawa:

Canadian police have arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident for assault with a weapon during a violent protest at a Hindu temple in the city, authorities said.

On November 3, a protest took place at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show protesters waving Khalistan flags. Videos showed fights and people hitting each other with sticks on what appears to be the land surrounding the temple.

Peel Regional Police responded to the altercation during the protest at the mandir. As tensions between the opposing camps increased, the protests became physical and aggressive, a statement said Saturday.

Police began investigating several offenses that occurred during the protest, many of which were filmed; including individuals using flags and sticks to attack people, he added.

Investigators from the 21st Division Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) arrested and charged Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton, the Peel Police news release states.

Gosal is the Canadian coordinator for the banned group Sikhs for Justice, the Toronto Star reported.

On November 8, 2024, he was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon. He was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date, he said.

An SIT to investigate criminal incidents that occurred during the incidents of November 3 and 4 has since been established.

On November 3, protesters waving Khalistan flags clashed with people and disrupted a consular event co-organized by temple authorities and the Indian consulate.

Sunday’s incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

India condemned the attack, hoping that those engaging in violence “will be prosecuted.”

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

Relations between India and Canada came under strain following allegations by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September last year of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of the Khalistan terrorist , Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s accusations, calling them “absurd.”

India maintains that the main issue between the two countries is whether Canada is giving space to Khalistani elements operating with impunity from Canadian soil.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)