Brampton: After a pro-Khalistan mob attacked a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, on Sunday, videos emerged showing police in confrontations with temple attendees amid the disturbance. In one video shared by journalist Daniel Bordman on X, Peel Police officers appear to be using force against members of the crowd, some of whom were holding the Indian Tricolour.
Bordman reported that officers were present to maintain order following tensions between Khalistani supporters and members of the Hindu community. However, the video shows officers "punching" and "hitting" temple attendees with batons, seemingly without provocation. At one point in the footage, a woman identifies a bearded officer, accusing him of assault, and alleges that police were specifically targeting Hindu community members while appearing to protect Khalistani protestors.
As tensions grew outside the temple, people in the crowd began chanting “take him out” and “get out.” The temple had been hosting a consular camp, co-organized by the High Commission of India, when a mob with pro-Khalistan flags and sticks interrupted the event, allegedly targeting Hindu community members, including women and children.
Peel Regional Police later addressed the incident on X, explaining that the increased police presence was intended to maintain public order. Chief Nishan Duraiappah emphasized that while peaceful protests are respected, violence and criminal acts will not be tolerated, and those responsible would face legal action. However, police later informed CBC Toronto that no arrests had been made and offered no additional details on the footage.
Indian-origin MP Chandra Arya voiced his outrage, raising concerns about possible infiltration of Canadian law enforcement by Khalistani sympathizers. "Today, Canadian Khalistani extremists crossed a red line,” Arya posted on X. “The attack on Hindu-Canadian devotees inside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton highlights how deeply entrenched and audacious Khalistani extremism has become in Canada.”
Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, condemned the violence. Additionally, the High Commission of India in Ottawa expressed "deep disappointment" over the incident, citing concerns for the safety of Indian nationals and noting previous disruptions at consular camps in Vancouver and Surrey on November 2-3.