Canada suspends cop over attending pro-Khalistan protest outside Hindu temple

Canadian authorities on Monday (Nov 4) suspended a police officer after a video went viral on social media showing him participating in a pro-Khalistan protest outside a Hindu temple in Brampton.

Local media reported that Harinder Sohi was suspended by Peel Regional Police “in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act," citing Media Relations Officer Richard Chin.

In the viral video, Sohi was seen carrying a Khalistani flag and chanting anti-India slogans. Sohi has been serving as a Sergeant of the Peel Regional Police. A probe has been launched and further details will be shared concerning the circumstances surrounding this incident, Richard was quoted as saying by CBC News.

Hindu temple attacked by Khalistanis

India-Canada ties further faced a setback on Sunday as Khalistani goons launched a violent attack on Hindu devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple. The radicals wanted to disrupt the event, co-organised by the Indian Consulate.

They clashed with people outside the temple and threatened the security of Indian officials.

The brazen attack even prompted a reaction from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took to X to condemn this “deliberate attack.”

"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," PM Modi posted on X.

"We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," the Indian leader added.

Indian foreign ministry also condemned the attacks in a separate statement.

"We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks," a spokesperson for the ministry said.

India-Canada tensions

India and Canada have been locked in an intense diplomatic standoff for weeks now over Ottawa’s alleged support to anti-India Khalistani elements who are allowed to freely operate from Canadian soil.

Watch:India Condemns Attack on Hindu Devotees in Canada's Brampton

Canada last month accused Indian diplomats of being involved in the death of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. It led to a diplomatic clash with India, with New Delhi withdrawing its six diplomats from Ottawa and expelling the same number of Canadian envoys. PM Justin Trudeau later admitted during a public inquiry that his government had no ‘hard evidence’ backing up his explosive allegations against the Modi government.

(With inputs from agencies)