MISSISSAUGA — A pro-Khalistan activist recently charged with multiple firearms offences is now calling for the “citizens’ arrest” of Indian Consulate officials in the Greater Toronto Area, raising security concerns ahead of planned demonstrations this weekend in Mississauga and Brampton.
The call came from Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a self-identified Sikh separatist who was charged with 11 firearms-related offences last month. Gosal was also arrested and charged with assault with a weapon in 2024 following a series of violent demonstrations at Hindu temples across Peel Region.
In a recent social media post, Gosal claimed the planned actions were meant to coincide with the anniversary of the 1984 Sikh Genocide, stating that demonstrators intend to detain Indian officials to “expose acts of espionage, surveillance, and treason.”
Peel Regional Police confirmed they are aware of the planned gatherings and said officers will maintain a visible presence near Hindu temples in Mississauga and Brampton throughout the weekend to ensure public safety. “We’re monitoring the situation and will have officers deployed in the affected areas,” a spokesperson told Insauga.com.
Gosal’s post also echoed the rhetoric of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) — a U.S.-based advocacy organization that has called for the citizens’ arrest of India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, accusing Indian intelligence operatives of espionage and involvement in assassination plots against Khalistan Referendum organizers. SFJ has also announced a “31 October Siege” targeting Indian consulates in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver in protest over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist shot dead outside a Surrey, B.C. temple in June 2023.
Nijjar, who had organized a Khalistan Referendum vote in Brampton, was at the time a key figure in SFJ’s separatist campaign. His murder triggered a diplomatic crisis after then–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Canadian intelligence had found credible evidence of Indian government involvement in the assassination — a claim that India has vehemently denied.
The Khalistan movement seeks to establish an independent Sikh homeland by separating the state of Punjab from India. Supporters say the movement is rooted in self-determination, while critics warn it has deep political and diplomatic implications for Canada–India relations.
Last year’s temple protests in Brampton and Mississauga, which began on Nov. 3, 2024, turned violent and forced police to declare one gathering at Hindu Sabha Mandir an “unlawful assembly.” The clashes were linked to the alleged presence of Indian consular officials inside local temples, prompting cancellations of future visits.
The unrest cost the City of Brampton $400,000 in security expenses to protect places of worship that week. In response, Brampton City Council introduced fines of up to $100,000 for protests targeting religious institutions, while Mississauga officials opted not to enact a similar bylaw due to concerns over potential legal challenges.
In February 2025, Gosal’s Brampton home was riddled with gunfire just days before a scheduled pro-Khalistan rally in Toronto — an incident that further heightened tensions between activist groups and local law enforcement.
With demonstrations expected to resume this weekend, Peel police say they are taking precautionary measures to prevent further unrest. As of Friday, officials confirmed that no permits have been issued for public protests at temples, but they will be “closely monitoring” all gatherings to ensure compliance with local bylaws and public safety regulations.