Clean Chit To Canada Cop Holding Khalistani Flag During Violent Attack on Brampton Hindu Temple—Here's What Peel Police Said

Peel Regional Police in Canada announced an interim decision on Thursday (14 November) clearing police officer Harinder Sohi, who was seen holding a Khalistani flag during a chaotic attack at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton on 3 November. The protest, which erupted into a violent confrontation, involved pro-Khalistani extremists who allegedly attacked people inside the temple while chanting anti-India slogans.

The Incident

The attack took place when members of the local Indian community gathered at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton for a consular event organized by the Indian High Commission.

During the gathering, a group of pro-Khalistani extremists reportedly stormed the temple premises, chanting slogans and waving flags associated with the Khalistan movement. Tensions quickly escalated as physical altercations broke out between the protesters and temple attendees.

Videos circulating on social media show participants from both sides engaging in fistfights and wielding flagpoles as makeshift weapons. Amid the disturbance, Sergeant Harinder Sohi of the Peel Regional Police was recorded holding a Khalistani flag, which led to public outrage and calls for his suspension.

Following these events, Sohi was suspended by Peel Regional Police while an internal investigation was initiated. Sohi’s presence at the protest and his apparent display of the Khalistani flag raised questions about his role in the incident, with some community members and social media users accusing him of aligning with the protesters.

The viral video showed him, dressed in plain clothes and seemingly off duty, amidst the crowd, which fueled criticism that a law enforcement officer appeared to be involved in a politically charged demonstration.

Critics on social media questioned whether Sohi’s actions contributed to the rising tensions and accused him of failing to de-escalate the violence. These claims were bolstered by the video footage, which, according to some, depicted Sohi as more aligned with the protesters than as a peacekeeper attempting to control the situation.

Peel Police’s Statement on Sohi’s Actions

Peel Regional Police responded to the public backlash by launching an investigation into Sohi’s conduct, culminating in Thursday’s statement. According to Peel Police, bodycam footage from Sohi and other officers showed the sergeant acting within the scope of his official duties, attempting to disarm individuals who refused to surrender potential weapons.

Police confirmed that Sohi and other officers were present to manage the crowd and prevent further violence from breaking out around the temple premises. The statement clarified that Sohi’s appearance with a Khalistani flag was part of an attempt to de-escalate a dangerous situation, as he was attempting to seize a weapon from a protester who became confrontational.

During the altercation, Sohi reportedly managed to secure a flagpole from one of the protesters and held it briefly before returning to assist in dispersing the crowd.

Peel Police spokesperson Constable Tyler Bell-Morena emphasized that “the video doesn’t show the full scope of the officer’s efforts to disarm individuals and prevent further harm.”

Bell-Morena further added that officers on site, including Sohi, were actively trying to defuse a situation that had already escalated to dangerous levels, with participants wielding bats, sticks, and flagpoles as weapons.

Bodycam Footage Review

Peel Police reviewed body-worn camera footage as part of their investigation, which showed Sohi approaching a protester holding a stick and attempting to seize it. The individual resisted, leading to a brief physical struggle before Sohi gained control of the stick and the crowd dispersed.

Police authorities confirmed that the investigation concluded that Sohi’s actions fell within the “lawful execution of his duties” and did not indicate a personal alignment with the Khalistani movement or any intentions to incite conflict.

The bodycam footage, reviewed by Peel Regional Police’s internal affairs department, also corroborated Sohi’s account that he was attempting to prevent the use of makeshift weapons and manage a volatile crowd. Despite the chaotic appearance of the incident in the social media clips, police asserted that Sohi’s actions were focused on preventing further escalation and injury.

The attack on the temple had drawn sharp reactions from both Indian and Canadian communities, with concerns about rising tensions between pro-Khalistani activists and Indian nationals in Canada.

The incident had prompted India’s Ministry of External Affairs to express concern regarding the safety of Indian nationals and their places of worship in Canada. India urged Canadian authorities to take measures to prevent similar incidents and safeguard the peace and security of the Indian diaspora.