A Hindu temple in Brampton has suspended its priest over allegations that he advocated violent rhetoric during a confrontation with Khalistani protesters.
A Hindu temple in Brampton has suspended its priest over allegations of his involvement in spreading “violent rhetoric” during clashes at the temple on November 3. The confrontation, which saw protesters waving Khalistani flags, escalated into violent scenes outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir during a consular event attended by Indian officials.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, reacted by saying he is ‘outraged’ by the priest’s actions, adding most Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians alike want to live in harmony with one another and do not condone any acts of violence.
“This is helpful leadership. The overwhelming number 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 pundit who has spread violent rhetoric. The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council denounced the acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha on Sunday night,” Brown said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Remember, we all have more in common than what divides us. We can’t let the agitators fuel the flames of division in tense times. The leadership of both Sikh and Hindu communities in the GTA want this division, hate, and violence to be stopped.
I am asking everyone in the community not to 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.
