Why have violent protests broken out in Brampton and Mississauga?

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Published November 5, 2024 at 12:24 pm

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X / @TheophanesRex

Protests have occurred at places of worship in Brampton and Mississauga in recent days, with violence even breaking out in some cases.

Peel Regional Police have announced some arrests in connection with the protests and a Peel police officer has been suspended for allegedly taking part in a demonstration.

Violence outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton first broke out on Sunday, with police declaring a second demonstration there Monday night an “unlawful assembly” and ordering protesters to disperse.

Demonstrations have also occurred in Mississauga, including at a Sikh Gurdwara.

What happened?

Peel police announced on Sunday afternoon that they had an increased presence amid a protest at the Hindu temple on The Gore Road.

“We respect the right to protest in a peaceful and safe manner but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts; those that do participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested and charged,” Chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a post on X.

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Videos show demonstrators holding banners in support of a separate Sikh country called Khalistan clashing with others, including some holding India’s national flag, outside of the temple.

The protest became violent as fights erupted and people hit each other with wooden flag poles. 

Protests then moved to the Westwood Mall area in Mississauga, police said in a post early Monday morning. The same group of protestors then moved to the Airport and Derry roads area of Mississauga, police said.

A police officer was hurt in the clashes and treated in hospital for minor injuries. There were no other reports of any physical injuries.

Three people were arrested and criminally charged.

Brampton South MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria indicated on X that protests took place at a Sikh place of worship in Mississauga.

“The acts of unlawfulness that occurred tonight at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Malton Mississauga were completely unacceptable,” he said.

The protest prompted condemnation from Sikh organizations.

Then on Monday, large crowds of demonstrators again returned to the temple in Brampton.

It prompted road closures in the area and police advised drivers to use different routes is possible.

Just before 10 p.m., police ordered demonstrators to disperse.

“Weapons have been observed by police within the demonstration,” police said in a post on X.

“This is now an unlawful assembly. The public order unit is advising the crowds to disperse. All parties must leave the area now or face arrest.”

It’s not clear if any arrests were made in that demonstration.

In Surrey, B.C., three arrests were made after a demonstration at a Hindu temple there as well.


Why has this happened?

The Khalistan movement is an independence movement calling for the creation of a Sikh state. Its supporters want to see the state of Punjab break away from India and become Khalistan.

The group Sikhs For Justice said that the demonstration in Brampton was held in protest of the presence of Indian consulate officials inside the temple.

The consulate officials said they were there to provide administrative services like helping seniors access their pensions, but the group alleges the visits are used to find informants to get information on Sikh separatists.

The Indian high commission in Ottawa did not immediately respond to the claims.

The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council condemned the protest.

India has long accused Canada of harbouring “pro-Khalistan terrorists” that New Delhi has asked Ottawa to extradite, though Canadian officials say those requests often lack adequate proof.

Last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau caused a diplomatic rift when he announced that Canadian officials suspected Indian government agents had a role in the assassination of a Sikh temple leader in Surrey in June 2023.

Those tensions boiled over last month when Canada expelled six Indian diplomats for allegations that they used their positions to collect information on Canadians in the pro-Khalistan independence movement, and then passed the details on to criminal gangs who targeted the individuals directly.

India has said that Canada provided no evidence to back up those allegations.

What have political leaders said?

Reaction has poured in from political leaders, including from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats,” Modi said in a post on X.

“Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also commented on what happened in Brampton, condemning the violence.

“The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable,” he said. “Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”

And Premier Doug Ford also weighed in.

“The violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton this afternoon is completely unacceptable and must be condemned. No one should feel unsafe in their place of worship,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he will be bringing a motion to city council to look at prohibiting protests at places of worship.

“Places of worship should be safe spaces that are free of violence and intimidation,” he said.

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said hatred “in any form is unacceptable” and condemned what happened in Mississauga and Brampton.

“Free speech is a fundamental right we cherish as Canadians, but hate speech and harassment will not be tolerated in Mississauga or anywhere else,” Parrish said of the incidents in a statement.

— With files from Ryan Rocca, Karen Longwell, The Canadian Press

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