Hindu Priest Suspended in Canada Amid Allegations of “Violent Rhetoric”

A Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, has suspended its priest over allegations of promoting violent rhetoric during a clash involving Khalistani protesters. The confrontation took place on November 3 outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir, where a consular event attended by Indian officials was disrupted by demonstrators waving Khalistani flags.

In response, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the priest’s alleged actions, emphasizing that the majority of Sikh and Hindu Canadians seek peace and harmony. “This is the kind of leadership we need,” Brown stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The vast majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and reject violence. We cannot let agitators fuel divisions. I urge everyone in the community to avoid reacting with violence or hate.”

Hindu Sabha Mandir President Madhusudan Lama confirmed the priest’s suspension. The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council also condemned the violent incidents at the temple, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated that all Canadians have the right to practice their faith freely and safely. India has expressed concern for the safety of Indian nationals in Canada.

The violent scenes in Brampton have heightened tensions within the community. The recent clash, captured on social media, shows demonstrators and attendees engaging in physical altercations on the temple grounds. This incident adds to the strained relations between India and Canada, which escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the 2022 killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim India has dismissed as “absurd.”