Person of Indian origin arrested in Canada for ‘inciting hatred’ against Sikhs at Brampton protest : Valley Vision

The Canadian Police on Thursday said it has arrested Ranendra Lal Banerjee, a Hindu man of Indian origin, for allegedly inciting hatred against Sikhs at a protest in Brampton earlier this week.

A protest by pro-Khalistan groups near the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton had turned violent on Monday. The violence erupted during the Indian High Commission’s routine consular camp organised in partnership with the Hindu Sabha Temple.

The Sikh groups were met with counter-protests from a Hindu group holding Indian flags. The tensions soon escalated, with Khalistani groups attacking the opposing persons. The police said on Thursday that it is investigating several offences that took place during the protests.

In one of the videos of the incident that was widely circulated, an individual was seen using a loudspeaker “to incite violence, calling for groups to storm Sikh temples”, said the Peel Regional Police.

Based on this, the 57-year-old man from Toronto was arrested on Tuesday. He has been charged with public incitement of hatred.

He was released with conditions and will have to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

According to the police, arrest warrants have also been issued for 24-year-old Armaan Gahlot from Kitchener town and 22-year-old Arpit for allegedly uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, conspiracy to commit assault with a weapon and conspiracy to commit mischief.

“Any acts of violence, threats of violence or vandalism will not be tolerated,” Peel Regional Police said. “We appreciate the cooperation of those who remained peaceful during these events.”

The police has set up a Strategic Investigative Team to prove the incidents that took place on November 3 and November 4. The investigators have urged anyone with videos of any of the demonstrations to submit the material to the police.