Inderjeet Gosal, known as a primary organiser of the Khalistan referendum in Canada, has been arrested in connection with a violent incident at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) last week.
According to a statement released by Peel Regional Police (PRP) on Saturday, Gosal, a 35-year-old Brampton resident, was taken into custody on Friday and charged with assault with a weapon. The statement also mentioned that Gosal was released under specific conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
Gosal’s arrest on November 8 followed an incident at the Hindu Sabha temple where, during a protest, pro-Khalistan demonstrators reportedly attacked Hindu-Canadian devotees. The demonstration, held on The Gore Road, quickly turned violent, with some participants wielding flags and sticks as weapons. Police have gathered video evidence of the altercation and are working to identify other individuals involved.
A dedicated Strategic Investigative Team has been set up by the PRP to investigate these events further, focusing on incidents that took place on November 3 and 4. Authorities highlighted that such investigations take time, and they plan to make more arrests as they identify suspects.
The violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on November 3 saw pro-Khalistan activists engaging in physical attacks against Hindu devotees. The PRP intervened as the demonstration, which included the display of flags and banners, escalated into violence, according to a statement from the police.
Gosal, who serves as a coordinator for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) — an organisation banned in India — is identified by officials as a lead organiser of the Khalistan referendum in Canada and has been charged in connection with the recent attack on the Hindu temple.
SFJ, in turn, claimed that Gosal was unfairly targeted during a pro-Khalistan demonstration outside the Hindu Sabha temple, which was hosting a consular event at the time. Indian consulate officials from Toronto were reportedly on-site during the protest.
In a recent statement to The Financial Times, Gosal expressed his commitment to the Khalistan movement, saying, “I know what I signed up for, death doesn’t scare me.”
(With inputs from agencies)