Arbitration Ruling Sparks Anger Within Hindu Community
National Times Bureau :- A Canadian police officer who took part in a pro-Khalistan protest outside a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has been temporarily demoted but will regain his rank and full pay after six months, a decision that has triggered strong reactions from the Hindu community.
Peel Regional Police (PRP) Sergeant Harinder Sohi was among the participants at a protest organised by the separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton in November 2024. The protest later turned violent, with some demonstrators allegedly forcing their way into the temple premises. One of those charged in connection with the incident was SFJ’s so-called Khalistan Referendum coordinator, Inderjit Singh Gosal.
Social Media Footage Led to Suspension
Sohi’s presence at the protest surfaced through social media posts, following which Peel Regional Police suspended him and removed him from public-facing duties. The case was subsequently examined by the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission (OPAAC).
More than a year after the incident, OPAAC ruled that Sohi would be demoted to the rank of First Class Constable for a period of six months. According to the ruling, he will be reinstated to his former rank after this period, subject to satisfactory work performance as assessed by his senior officers.
The adjudicator’s decision was delivered on November 27, 2025, but was shared with concerned members of the Hindu community only last week. A copy of the ruling was also accessed by Hindustan Times.
Community Calls Punishment ‘Inadequate’
Reacting sharply to the decision, the Canadian Organisation for Hindu Heritage Education (CoHHE) described the penalty as grossly insufficient.
“A slap on the wrist for Sohi is a slap on the face for the community,” the organisation said in a statement. CoHHE further argued that Sohi’s refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing and the absence of remorse warranted much stricter disciplinary action, including dismissal from service.
The group also accused Peel Regional Police of being dismissive in its response to Hindu community concerns and said it would escalate the matter to higher authorities to seek accountability and equal protection.
Misconduct Acknowledged, But Termination Not Sought
In its ruling, the adjudicator acknowledged that Sohi’s actions undermined public trust in policing, professionalism and institutional integrity. He was found guilty of misconduct under provisions stating that a police officer must not act in a manner that damages public confidence in law enforcement.
Despite these findings, PRP did not pursue termination. The ruling also revealed that Sohi had been present and active at another pro-Khalistan protest in Toronto on October 18, 2024—just two weeks before the Brampton incident that drew national and international attention.
The case continues to raise broader questions about police neutrality, accountability, and the handling of politically sensitive protests in Canada.
