 "Massive crowd gathered outside Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton, Canada. Image: ANI")
The Brampton City Council on Thursday passed a legislation banning protests outside places of worship weeks after pro-Khalistani demonstrations outside the Hindu Sabha temple triggered violent clashes.
The altercation outside the temple invoked strong responses from within Canada and abroad with many condemning the incident. Earlier this month, a protest occurred at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners supporting Khalistan.
The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appeared to be the temple’s surrounding grounds.
What does the new bylaw say?
Brampton City Mayor Patrick Brown moved the new bylaw prohibiting protests around religious places and was passed unanimously.
“In this country, we protect the right to protest as long as it does not infringe upon another right," Brown noted.
Talking to the Toronto Star, Brown expressed concerns about the rising sectarian animosity in the city.
He said, “I will put forward a motion that will be voted on. I expect it to be unanimously passed, prohibiting protests at places of worship.”
Arrests made
Last week, the Canadian police arrested a 35-year-old Brampton resident on charges of assault with a weapon during a violent demonstration at a Hindu temple in the city, authorities said.
The Peel Regional Police responded to the altercation during the demonstration at the Mandir. As tensions between opposing sides increased, the demonstrations became physical and assaultive.
Police began investigating several offences that occurred during the demonstration, many of which were captured on video; including individuals using flags and sticks to assault people, it said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsInvestigators from the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau and Strategic Investigation Team (SIT) have arrested and charged Inderjeet Gosal of Brampton, the Peel Police statement said.
Gosal, is Sikhs for Justice coordinator for Canada, Toronto Star reported.
With inputs from PTI