Weapons seen at protest at Brampton Hindu temple one day after violent clashes: police

Peel police have declared an unlawful assembly following a significant gathering outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, which took place the day after violent clashes erupted during a visit from Indian consular officials.

On Monday night, hundreds of demonstrators congregated in the temple's parking lot, waving Indian flags and marching on the street, temporarily blocking traffic in both directions.

The situation escalated when police reported observing weapons in the crowd, leading them to classify the gathering as an unlawful assembly and issue dispersal orders, warning that failure to comply could result in arrests.

Road closures were implemented on Gore Road and intersecting streets due to the assembly.

The tensions began on Sunday, when three people were arrested amid clashes that were captured on video.

These videos showed demonstrators, some supporting Khalistan—a proposed independent Sikh state—confronting others holding India's national flag, leading to physical altercations involving poles and fistfights around the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple.

The group Sikhs for Justice stated that the Khalistan supporters were protesting the presence of Indian consulate officials, who were visiting to offer administrative services, including assistance to seniors in accessing pensions.

The incidents come amid rising tensions between Canada and India, particularly surrounding allegations from Canada that Indian diplomats collected information on pro-Khalistan activists and passed it to criminal gangs.

This situation has resulted in diplomatic actions, including Canada expelling six Indian diplomats last month.

India, on the other hand, has accused Canada of harboring pro-Khalistan terrorists and has requested their extradition, although Canadian officials have expressed concerns about the lack of sufficient evidence for such claims.