NEW DELHI: A Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada suspended its priest following accusations of spreading “violent rhetoric” during clashes with pro-Khalistan protesters.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, on social media platform X said that, “This is leadership that is helpful. The vast majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and don’t tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir President Madhusudan Lama has suspended the pundit who spread violent rhetoric. The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council denounced the acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha on Sunday night.”
“Remember we all have more in common than what divides us. In tense times, we can’t let the agitators fuel the flames of division. The leadership of both Sikh and Hindu communities in the GTA do not want this division, hate and violence.
I am asking everyone in the community to not respond to violence and hate. Law enforcement will be there to respond. This is their job. We must continue to be the country where the rule of law is followed,” he added.
The Hindu priest was suspended following an incident that occurred on November 3 at the Hindu Sabha Temple, where demonstrators reportedly carrying Khalistani flags disrupted a consular event co-hosted by temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.
According to news agency PTI, Social media footage which is yet to be verified, showed individuals holding banners supporting Khalistan, with physical altercations breaking out on the temple’s grounds, including fistfights and people striking each other with poles.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Hindu Sabha Mandir confirmed the priest’s suspension, citing his “controversial involvement” in the incident.
The clash began when a group called Sikhs for Justice initiated a protest as Indian consular officials were visiting the temple. Peel police were called to the scene shortly after noon, where they worked to disperse crowds and maintain order.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the violence, affirming that every Canadian should be able to practice their faith “freely and safely.” He thanked local authorities for their quick response to the incident, pledging support to ensure community safety.
The ministry of external affairs also condemned the violence, expressing a “deep concern” over the safety of Indian nationals in Canada. The ministry has called for accountability, stating that those responsible for the violence “will be prosecuted.”
This recent clash underscores the already strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India, which worsened after Trudeau suggested a “potential” link between Indian agents and the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September last year—a claim India has categorically rejected as “absurd.”
Meanwhile, New Delhi maintains that the root of the conflict lies in Canada’s tolerance of pro-Khalistan groups operating within its borders.