Toronto: The president of a temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has requested police protection, fearing for his safety after the violent attack by pro-Khalistan radicals on the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on November 3.
In a letter to Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Jeff Lal, president of the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton, stated, “I have been receiving threatening phone calls regarding a personal attack on both myself and our temple.”
Lal, originally from Fiji, expressed growing concern for his safety and that of his family, stating, “After receiving numerous blocked ID calls, I am increasingly worried.”
He explained that upon hearing about the attack on the Hindu Sabha Mandir, he contacted Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown to request police reinforcement for the protection of the temple and its devotees. At the time of the incident, Lal was in Burlington for a business meeting and only arrived at the temple after the violence occurred.
“Given the seriousness of this situation, I respectfully request assistance and enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of my family and me during this challenging time,” he emphasized.
Lal mentioned that he is still awaiting a response to his letter, which he sent after the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) posted about him on X, calling for his arrest for “offering free swords to attack Sikhs.” SFJ also referred to him as an “aide” to Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and claimed he was the party’s “nominee.”
Lal denied that the voice in the SFJ video was his.
The SFJ post included the statement, “Is the planned attack on pro-Khalistan Sikhs at Hindu Sabha Mandir part of India’s strategy to weaken Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and strengthen Pierre Poilievre?”
Lal is not the nominee of the Conservative Party. In fact, he left the party earlier this year in frustration over the nomination process, as Bob Dosanjh Singh was selected as the nominee for the Brampton East riding.
