Canadian officials pressed charges against three people Monday, following the violence that erupted Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto where Sikh activists staged a Pro-Khalistan demonstration, according to a Reuters report.
Local police say a 43-year-old man was charged with causing a disturbance and assaulting a peace officer and a 23-year-old man was charged with assault with a weapon. Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man was charged with mischief.
In addition, police say they have been made aware of the video of an off-duty police officer who was seen participating in the protest. Police say they are investigating that case and the officer has been suspended.
The prime ministers of India and Canada have denounced the violence that erupted Sunday at several locations in suburban Toronto, including the Hindu temple.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the “acts of violence” were unacceptable.
Video of the disturbance at the temple appeared to show an altercation between Hindus and Sikhs that included footage of people hitting each other with flagpoles outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in the city of Brampton, according to Reuters. It was not clear, however, how the violence was initiated.
“The Hindu community in Canada is feeling that they are not being provided a safe place for the worship,” Arunesh Giri, president of the Canadian Hindu Foundation told Agence France-Presse.
A spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry called on Canada to “ensure that all places of worship are protected” from attacks like the ones on Sunday. “We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted,” the ministry said.
Sikh activists told Reuters that pro-Khalistan activists at the Hindu temple demonstration were protesting the presence of Indian diplomats. The activists said another rally was held at a Sikh temple.
Khalistan is the Sikh homeland that some activists want created out of India’s Punjab state. Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India. Footage of the disruptions posted on social media shows some people carrying the yellow flags of the pro-Khalistan movement.
The violence comes amid frayed diplomatic ties between India and Canada. Canada recently expelled six Indian diplomats over the 2023 killing in Canada of a Sikh separatist leader. India’s tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of its diplomats from Canada was to expel six Canadian diplomats from India.
Canada has accused India of targeting Sikh activists in Canada. India has said that allegation is “absurd and baseless.”
Some information provided by Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
