Brampton police arrests SFJ Canada coordinator in Hindu temple violence case
Ottawa (PTI): Canadian police have arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident on charges of assault with a weapon during a violent demonstration at a Hindu temple in the city, authorities said.
On November 3, a protest occurred at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan. The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple.
The Peel Regional Police responded to the altercation during the demonstration at the Mandir. 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.
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.
Gosal, is Sikhs for Justice coordinator for Canada, Toronto Star reported.
The US-based SFJ is banned in India.
On November 8, 2024, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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T''gana govt accorded top priority to Muslim welfare, development : CM Reddy
Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday said the Congress government has accorded top priority to the welfare and development of the Muslim community in the state.
Speaking at the 'Iftar' event hosted by the state government here, he observed that Ramzan is the holy month of spiritual purification.
"We must foster brotherhood and live together in communal harmony," Reddy said while cautioning that some political forces are attempting to create communal tension by dividing people in the country.
"This government is yours. I am your brother. All must stand unitedly to take Telangana and the country forward. Your prayers are very important for the government. Some people try to create divisions amongst us and we should not fall into it," he said.
He highlighted substantial allocation of funds to the Muslim minorities in every government initiative.
Telangana ministers including Mohammad Azharuddin, AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi were among those who were present on the occasion.
