Inderjit Singh Gosal, a prominent figure in the Khalistani separatist movement and principal organiser of the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada, has reportedly been arrested once again. Gosal is known to be a close associate of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of the US-based secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which has been actively pushing for the creation of Khalistan — a separate Sikh homeland carved out of India’s Punjab state.

Gosal’s latest arrest comes nearly a year after his involvement in a violent incident at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In November 2024, Khalistani extremists launched an attack at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton during a demonstration that began with the display of pro-Khalistan flags and banners. What started as a protest quickly turned violent, with Hindu-Canadian devotees targeted in a disturbing escalation of religiously motivated aggression.

Following the incident, Gosal was arrested by the Peel Regional Police (PRP) but was later released. His re-arrest suggests ongoing investigations and renewed concerns about the growing influence of Khalistani elements within Canada’s Sikh diaspora.

The Khalistan movement, which gained momentum in the 1980s, calls for an independent Sikh state. Though the movement lost steam in India after a violent crackdown, it has continued to find support among a small but vocal segment of the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, the UK, and the US. Groups like SFJ have used platforms in these countries to conduct referendums and public campaigns, despite the movement being officially banned in India and widely criticized for its links to extremist ideologies and violent activities.

Gosal’s arrest further highlights the tensions that such activities are creating in multicultural societies like Canada, where freedom of expression often clashes with the need to curb hate speech and prevent community-based violence. Indian authorities have repeatedly raised concerns with the Canadian government about allowing such groups to operate freely, warning of their destabilising impact on bilateral relations and on social harmony within Canada itself.

Investigations into Gosal’s actions and those of other Khalistani figures are ongoing.