Rajinder Parsad, a priest of the Hindu Sabha Temple in Canada's Brampton was suspended by the management over his alleged involvement in clashes with pro-Khalistani protestors at the temple premises on Sunday.
The management of the Hindu Sabha Temple in a statement on Wednesday, said that the priest was suspended for his “controversial involvement” in the clashes with protesters on Sunday. However, they didn't elaborate on the nature of his involvement in the clashes, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation said.
“Due to controversial involvement of Hindu Sabha priest Rajinder Parsad with non-permitted protesters on the Hindu Sabha premises on November 3, 2024, Hindu Sabha is suspending Rajinder Parsad with immediate effect,” the statement issued by Madhusudan Lama, President of Brampton Hindu Sabha Temple, said.
During Sunday's violent clash, protesters waving Khalistani flags engaged a pro-India crowd physically. Videos showed the two groups engaging in fist fights and using the flags to take swings at each other. The development was reported outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir during a consular event attended by Indian officials.
Welcoming the disciplinary measure against Rajinder Prasad, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said communities shouldn't let violent forces divide them.
“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,” Brown said on X (formerly Twitter).
“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,” the Mayor added.
The violence initially broke out at the Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday afternoon after members of a group called Sikhs for Justice held a protest while Indian consular officials were visiting. Officers were dispatched to the property around noon, Peel police said.
The relations between India and Canada came under severe strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing.
The Sunday incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who said every Canadian has the right to practise their faith freely and safely.
Trudeau thanked the local authorities for the swift response to protect the community and probe this incident.
India condemned the attack with an expectation that those indulging in violence "will be prosecuted".
