Hindu Sabha Temple Attack: Canada police nab Nijjar ally, Inderjeet Gosal, for Brampton violence

Gosal had been closely connected to Nijjar, the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), who was shot and killed in June 2023 outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia.

Canada's Peel Regional Police, on Saturday, arrested Inderjeet Gosal, a 35-year-old Brampton resident, in connection with the violent protests at the Hindu Sabha Mandir on The Gore Road in Brampton on November 3.

Gosal, principal organiser of the controversial Khalistan referendum, was taken into custody on November 8. He has been charged with Assault with a Weapon and released on certain conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a future date.

The demonstration, which took place on November 3, involved pro-Khalistan supporters clashing with temple-goers and disrupting a consular event organised in collaboration between the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate. Four individuals have been arrested earlier in connection with the protest, and an off-duty Peel police officer has been suspended for alleged involvement. The investigation, led by the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Strategic Investigative Team (SIT), is underway, with officials reviewing hundreds of videos to identify additional suspects. Peel Police expect to make more arrests as they continue their inquiries.

This incident occurs amid strained India-Canada relations, following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations that New Delhi targeted Khalistani separatists in Canada and was involved in the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India had immediately dismissed these claims as "absurd" and hit back at Trudeau for allowing extremist elements to operate on Canadian soil.

Who is Inderjeet Gosal?

Gosal, a close ally of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Pannun and slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, took over as the chief organiser of the Khalistan referendum after Nijjar, the former leader, was killed in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Gosal is also linked to various violent incidents involving pro-Khalistan factions in Canada.

Early this October, Gosal, seen holding a Khalistan flag at a protest, had dismissed any political motivation behind PM Trudeau's allegations against India. As reported by AFP, Gosal had stated, "I just think that Justin Trudeau is just following his principles. He believes in rights and he believes in keeping his Canadian citizens safe."

Furthermore, in August, Canadian police had reportedly warned Gosal, an associate of slain Khalistani terrorist Nijjar, about a threat to his life, according to Pannun. Pannun, also a Khalistani terrorist, had claimed that Ontario police, in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), had issued a "duty to warn" notice to Gosal.  In a statement shared by Pannun, Gosal had acknowledged the threats and reiterated his commitment to the Khalistani secession movement for Punjab, as reported by Reuters.

According to Canadian police, Gosal was one of 13 Canadians targeted in connection with violent actions against pro-Khalistan activists, prompting tensions between India and Canada, which included the expulsion of diplomats from both nations. The SFJ has claimed that Gosal was specifically targeted during a protest at the Hindu temple, which was hosting a consular camp with Indian officials present.

Meanwhile, early this week, a Peel Regional Police officer was suspended following his alleged involvement in the violent pro-Khalistan protests in Brampton's Hindu Sabha Temple. The officer, identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi, was reportedly filmed holding a Khalistan flag as protestors chanted anti-India slogans.

Protesters carrying Khalistani flags, on November 3, clashed with worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, drawing strong condemnation from India. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa denounced the incident, calling it an attack by "anti-India" elements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also condemned the incident on X, labeling it a "deliberate attack" on the temple and denouncing "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats, urging the Canadian government to uphold justice and the rule of law.