A Peel Regional Police officer has been suspended after being caught on video participating in a pro-Khalistan demonstration outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, where tensions flared and clashes broke out. The officer, identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi, was seen holding a Khalistan flag, while others in the protest chanted anti-India slogans. His involvement has raised questions about police neutrality, sparking a broader debate amidst already strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India.

The incident took place outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple, where demonstrations supporting Khalistan — a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India — escalated into violence. Video footage circulating on social media shows confrontations between demonstrators and counter-protesters holding India’s national flag, with fistfights and individuals wielding poles. Police were dispatched to the temple to ensure public order, but the situation later shifted to neighboring areas in Mississauga, where further protests ensued.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah addressed the situation, reaffirming the department's stance on maintaining order while respecting peaceful protest rights. "We respect the right to protest peacefully and safely but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts," he said, adding that those engaged in violent behavior would face arrest and prosecution. Peel police subsequently announced that three individuals had been charged following the clashes.

Sohi's involvement has led to an internal investigation. In an email to CBC News, Media Relations Officer Richard Chin confirmed that the force was “aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an off-duty Peel Police officer involved in a demonstration.” Chin stated that Sohi had been suspended under the Community Safety and Policing Act and that authorities are examining the incident in detail before releasing further information.

The violent protest has drawn responses from political leaders across Canada, with calls for unity and condemnation of extremist actions. At the same time, the incident has prompted a diplomatic response from Indian officials, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing "strong condemnation" of what he described as a “deliberate attack” on a Hindu place of worship. Modi’s statement underscored India’s expectations of accountability from the Canadian government, stressing that such actions should not go unpunished.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) echoed these sentiments, highlighting its concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada and urging Canadian authorities to take steps to safeguard religious sites from extremist violence. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked, “We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton. We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks.”

This incident arrives during a period of diplomatic strain between Canada and India, with the Khalistan movement, which calls for an independent Sikh state in Punjab, India, serving as a point of contention. Indian officials have repeatedly expressed concerns over alleged support for Khalistani separatist activities within Canada, which they believe jeopardizes the safety of Indian nationals and the diaspora.

As the investigation continues, Sohi’s suspension highlights the complexity of handling domestic law enforcement responsibilities amidst politically charged issues with international ramifications. Peel Regional Police have not provided a timeline for the investigation's completion but emphasized their commitment to an unbiased review.

For now, the incident stands as another flashpoint in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, raising questions about freedom of speech, community safety, and the challenges of maintaining order in diverse, multicultural societies.