Why the Brampton Hindu Sabha temple suspended priest Rajinder Parsad and how political Canada responded - The Week

Rajinder Parsad, a priest at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Canada, was suspended by management on Sunday for his alleged involvement in clashes with pro-Khalistani protesters on the temple grounds last Sunday.

The management of the Hindu Sabha Temple said in a statement on Wednesday that the priest had been suspended due to his “controversial involvement” in clashes with protesters on Sunday. However, they did not elaborate on the nature of his involvement in the clashes, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation said.

“In view of Hindu Sabha priest Rajinder Parsad’s controversial involvement with unauthorized protesters on the Hindu Sabha premises on November 3, 2024, Hindu Sabha suspends Rajinder Parsad with immediate effect,” said the statement from Brampton President Madhusudan Lama HinduSabha. Temple, said.

During Sunday’s violent clash, protesters waving Khalistani flags physically clashed with a pro-India crowd. Videos showed the two groups fistfighting and using the flags to wave at each other. The development was reported outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir during a consular event attended by Indian officials.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown welcomed the disciplinary action against Rajinder Prasad, saying communities should not allow violent forces to divide them.

“This is leadership that helps. The vast majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and do not tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir President Madhusudan Lama has suspended the expert who spread violent rhetoric. The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council denounced the acts of violence in the Hindu Sabha on Sunday evening,” Brown said on X (formerly Twitter).

“Remember that we all have more in common than what divides us. In tense times, we cannot let the troublemakers fan the flames of division. The leadership of both Sikh and Hindu communities in the GTA does not want this division, hatred and violence. I ask everyone in the community not to respond to violence and hatred. Police will be there to respond. This is their job. We must remain the country where the rule of law is observed,” 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.

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 the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Sunday’s incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

Trudeau thanked local authorities for their quick response to protect the community and investigate this incident.

India condemned the attack, expecting that those who indulge in violence “will be prosecuted”.