Following recent protests that took place at a Hindu Sabha temple in the Canadian city of Brampton, the priest of the temple has been suspended on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Notably, this suspension came after his alleged involvement in the recent violent clashes carried by Khalistani protestors.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown took to his social media platform X to announce his suspension. He noted, “This is leadership that is helpful. The vast majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and don’t want to tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir President Madhusudan Luma has suspended the Pundit who has allegedly spread violence rhetoric.”.
The Hindu Sabha Mandir has also issued a statement claiming priest Rajendra Prasad’s active involvement in spreading violence during the clashes at the temple on Sunday.
What Happened at Hindu Sabha Temple?
The incident took place on Sunday when the protestors carrying their Khalistani flags engaged in clashes with people present at the temple. The incident took place on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada.
The videos of the incident are making several rounds on social media, capturing audience attention. The video showed that a group of protestors holding banners in support of Khalistan destroyed the consular event. The event was attended by various Indian officials. The protestors at the temple protesting against the presence of Indian officials were seen hitting people with sticks outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir.
The videos showcased people engaging in physical altercation, hitting each other with poles and punches at the grounds of the temple, resulting in severe injuries. The protests at the temple were primarily driven by tensions between pro-Khalistan supporters and the Indian Community.
Canadian Cop Suspended
On Monday, the 18-year-old Canadian cop named Harinder Sohi was suspended after appearing in videos at the Hindu Sabha Temple. On the circulating videos of Sergeant Harinder Sohi, Peel Police spokesperson Richard Chin said, “We are aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to show one of our duty officers participating in the protests.”
Although no allegations of wrongdoing have been reported, he has also received several death threats on social media after his suspension was announced. The Regional Police have provided him with support and security.
Arrests for Violence
The Peel Regional Police has also made arrests of four people in connection to the clash at the temple on Sunday. These include 42-year-old Dilpreet Singh Bouns, 23-year-old Vikas, and 31-year-old Amritpal Singh. The fourth individual has not been identified yet.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Condemns the Incident
This protest has been widely condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre in Canada. Canadian PM Trudeau stressed that every Canadian’s right to practice their faith and religion freely and safely. He also thanked the local authorities for the swift response to protect the community and investigate the matter.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns
Further, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the “deliberate attack” on the Hindu Sabha Temple in Canada. In his latest tweets on X, he mentioned, “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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