Sikhs Condemn Violence By Pro-India Mobs In Brampton
Sikhs also applaud Peel Police for preventing attacks on Gurdwaras
Balpreet Singh
November 5, 2024 | 2.5 min. read | Analysis
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) strongly condemns the violence perpetrated by pro-India mobs in Brampton last night. We extend our gratitude to the Peel Regional Police for their swift actions, which prevented the mobs from reaching and attacking local gurdwaras.
Last night, several hundred pro-India protesters gathered on the grounds of the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton. Individuals within the crowd were recorded giving hateful speeches, inciting Indians to attack Sikh religious sites. The demonstrators later moved onto the streets, obstructing traffic and attempting to march toward nearby gurdwaras.
Peel Regional Police effectively intervened, blocking the march to prevent an escalation. Following these instigations, protesters vandalized Sikh-owned vehicles and hurled profanities at Peel Police officers.
In response, members of the Sikh community convened at local gurdwaras, with support from the police, to protect their congregations and buildings. Later that evening, Peel Police declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered the pro-India crowd to disperse or face arrests after weapons were spotted amongst the demonstrators.
This violence follows an earlier incident on Sunday, where Sikh protesters at the Hindu Sabha Mandir protesting against a consular event hosted by the Consul General of India were attacked, resulting in a violent altercation. Later that same day, hate speeches were given outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir by pro-India protestors calling for violence against Sikhs. Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Malton was subsequently swarmed that night but the attack was repelled by Peel Police.
On October 15, the RCMP reported evidence indicating that “Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada leveraged their official positions to engage in clandestine activities, such as collecting information for the Government of India, either directly or through proxies or coerced individuals.”
There are growing concerns that these events may be part of a larger effort to sow division and incite unrest in Canada. The RCMP has raised alarms about India's efforts to create a "perception of an unsafe environment" within Canada, a tactic seemingly mirrored in recent disinformation spread by Indian media. Indian media have spread disinformation that the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was involved in orchestrating the protest against Indian diplomats on Sunday and police attacking the Hindu community.
“What occurred last night was deeply troubling and rooted in deliberate incitement. Multiple speeches delivered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir on Sunday night incited violence against Sikhs,” Dr. Jaspreet Kaur, WSO Ontario President said.
“The attempted swarming of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Malton by several hundred pro-India aggressors on Sunday night appears to have been just the beginning. Were it not for Peel Police’s intervention, further attacks on gurdwaras would likely have taken place last night,” she goes on to add.
The WSO urges law enforcement to ensure that those involved in violence or incitement are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“We encourage the Sikh community to remain vigilant, as reports indicate the potential for additional pro-India protests tonight,” Bal said.
“The violence and unrest witnessed in Brampton over the past two days are unacceptable. We are seeing an alarming rise in disinformation from India, trying to provoke further violence - this cannot be allowed to happen. Cooler heads must prevail, and we call for peace and mutual respect.”
Balpreet Singh hails from Toronto, Canada, and is the spokesperson and legal counsel for the World Sikh Organization of Canada.
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