Ottawa: The priest of a Hindu temple within the Canadian metropolis of Brampton has been suspended for spreading “violent rhetoric” throughout current clashes between protesters carrying Khalistani flags and the folks current there.
On November 3, the protest occurred on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and unverified movies circulating on social media appeared to point out demonstrators holding banners in assist of Khalistan. The movies confirmed fist fights and folks putting one another with poles on what seems to be the grounds surrounding the temple.
The protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with folks and disrupted a consular occasion co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.
On Wednesday, a press release from the Hindu Sabha Mandir mentioned the suspension was because of the priest’s “controversial involvement” with protesters on Sunday, however didn’t elaborate, the Canadian Broadcasting Company reported.
Taking to X, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown mentioned the priest unfold “violent rhetoric,” asking the group not to answer violence and hate.
“That is management that’s useful. The overwhelming majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians need to stay in concord and don’t tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir President Madhusudan Lama has suspended the pundit who unfold violent rhetoric. The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council denounced the acts of violence on the Hindu Sabha on Sunday evening,” Brown mentioned within the publish.
“Bear in mind all of us have extra in widespread than what divides us. In tense occasions, we are able to’t let the agitators gas the flames of division. The management of each Sikh and Hindu communities within the GTA don’t want this division, hate and violence. I’m asking everybody locally to not reply to violence and hate. Legislation enforcement might be there to reply. That is their job. We should proceed to be the nation the place the rule of regulation is adopted,” the publish additional learn.
The violence initially broke out on the Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday afternoon after members of a gaggle known as Sikhs for Justice held a protest whereas Indian consular officers had been visiting. Officers had been dispatched to the property round midday, Peel police mentioned.
The Sunday incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who mentioned each Canadian has the precise to practise their religion freely and safely.
Trudeau thanked the native authorities for the swift response to guard the group and probe this incident.
India condemned the assault with an expectation that these indulging in violence “might be prosecuted”.
In a press release, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned that New Delhi stays “deeply involved” concerning the security and safety of Indian nationals in Canada.
The relations between India and Canada got here underneath extreme pressure following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September final 12 months of a “potential” involvement of Indian brokers in Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s costs as “absurd”.
India has been sustaining that the primary challenge between the 2 international locations is that of Canada giving house to pro-Khalistan components working from Canadian soil with impunity.
