Peel Regional Police in Canada announced an interim decision Thursday (November 14) to clear police officer Harinder Sohi, who was seen holding a Khalistani flag during a chaotic attack at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton on November 3. 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 as 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 allegedly 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 using flagpoles as makeshift weapons. Amidst the unrest, Sergeant Harinder Sohi of Peel Regional Police was filmed wearing a Khalistani flag, leading to public outrage and calls for his suspension.

Following these events, Sohi was suspended by Peel Regional Police while an internal investigation was launched. 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 joining the protesters.

The viral video showed him, dressed in plain clothes and seemingly off duty, in the middle of the crowd, prompting criticism that a police 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 escalate the violence. These claims were bolstered by the video footage, which some said showed Sohi as more aligned with the protesters than a peacekeeper trying to control the situation.

Peel police statement on Sohi’s actions

Peel Regional Police responded to the public backlash by launching an investigation into Sohi’s conduct, which culminated in Thursday’s statement. According to Peel Police, body camera footage from Sohi and other officers showed the sergeant was acting within the scope of his official duties and was 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 tried to grab a weapon from a protester who became confrontational.

During the altercation, Sohi allegedly managed to secure a flagpole from one of the protesters and held it briefly before returning to help disperse the crowd.

Peel police spokesperson Constable Tyler Bell-Morena stressed that “the video does not show the full extent of the officer’s efforts to disarm individuals and prevent further harm.”

Bell-Morena further added that officers on the scene, including Sohi, were actively trying to defuse a situation that had already escalated to dangerous levels, with participants using bats, canes 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 with a stick and attempting to grab it. The individual resisted, leading to a brief physical struggle before Sohi gained control of the stick and the crowd dispersed.

Police officials confirmed that the investigation concluded that Sohi’s actions fell within the “lawful performance 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 claim that he was trying to prevent the use of makeshift weapons and deal with a volatile crowd. Despite the chaotic appearance of the incident in the social media clips, police maintained that Sohi’s actions were aimed at preventing further escalation and harm.

The attack on the temple had drawn sharp reactions from both the Indian and Canadian communities, with concerns about rising tensions between pro-Khalistani activists and Indian citizens 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 steps to prevent similar incidents and protect the peace and security of the Indian diaspora.