Brampton Hindu Temple Priest Sacked For Spreading ‘Violent Rhetoric’

The priest of Canada's Hindu temple in Brampton has been sacked for spreading ‘violent rhetoric’. This development comes followed by alleged clashes in temple premises.

On November 3 several unverified videos were circulated on social media which showed demonstrators indulging in fist fights. The people can be seen striking each other with poles that appear to be in the premises of the temple. The video showed protestors holding banners in support of Khalistan.

The protestors carrying Khalistani flags stormed into the temple premises. They disrupted a consular event co-organised by the Indian Consulate and the temple authorities.

A statement from Hindu Sabha Mandir said the suspension was initiated due to the priest’s ‘controversial involvement’ with protesters on Sunday. However, it didn’t elaborate on the issue, reported the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

While urging the community not to respond to violence and hate, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said on X, the priest spread ‘violent rhetoric’.

He reiterated, “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.”

The post further read, “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.”

Notably, the violence broke out on November 3, Sunday, after members of a group called Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) held a protest while Indian consular officials were visiting. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the incident by saying that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely.

Currently, the relations between India and Canada have become sour after Trudeau accused involvement of ‘Indian agents’ in killing Khalistani Extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.