Canadian police officer suspended, 3 men arrested after temple violence in Brampton

Acknowledging the video showing an off-duty police officer at the protest site, Richard Chin, the media relations officer of the Peel police, said, “We are aware of a video circulating on social media that shows an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a demonstration. This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances depicted in the video and cannot provide further details until the investigation is complete.”

The suspects arrested in connection with the incident are Mississauga resident Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 42, who faces charges of causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer; Brampton resident Vikas, 23, who has been charged with assault with a weapon; and Amritpal Singh, 31, from Mississauga, who faces charges of mischief. All three will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton later.

The footage shared on social media showed groups of demonstrators, including supporters of Khalistan, clashing on the grounds of the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple. In some clips, people appeared to be engaged in fistfights and using poles in the confrontation.

The violence sparked strong condemnation from political leaders in India and Canada. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, hit out at the attack, amid rising diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

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

“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,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jagmeet Singh also condemned the violence in posts on X. Trudeau stressed that “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.” Poilievre denounced the violence “targeting worshippers” and promised to “end the chaos,” while Jagmeet Singh said “places of worship must be protected”.

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish expressed her disappointment over the incident, stating, “Our community prides itself on fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates our diverse population. Hatred in any form is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate any actions that limit our residents’ ability to live free from discrimination.”

She added that while free speech is a fundamental right, hate speech and harassment will not be tolerated in Mississauga or elsewhere.

The Peel police had announced plans to deploy additional personnel on Monday, anticipating further protests. “Peel Regional Police will continue to support and work with our community partners and stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and safe space for the planned demonstrations,” Chin said in a video message on social media.

“We respect the right to protest peacefully but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts,” stated Nishan Duraiappah, chief of the Peel regional police.

“Those who participate in such activities will be pursued, arrested, and charged,” he said.

Following the initial protest at the temple, demonstrations continued at two other locations in nearby Mississauga. In a news release, the police said, “Although these demonstrations occurred at three different locations, they appear to be related to one another. Several incidents between protestors and worshippers broke out.