Hindu temple in Brampton suspends priest for involvement in violent clashes

A Hindu temple in Brampton has suspended one of its priests in the wake of violent clashes between protesters at Hindu and Sikh places of worship earlier this week. 

A statement from the Hindu Sabha Mandir says the suspension was due to the priest’s “controversial involvement” with protesters on Sunday, but did not elaborate. 

CBC News has reached out to the temple for more information. 

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the priest spread “violent rhetoric,” in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Tuesday evening, asking the community not to respond to violence and hate. 

The violence initially broke out at the Hindu temple in Brampton 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.

Videos circulating on social media show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland in northern India, and clashing with other individuals, including some holding India’s national flag.

Later in the day, demonstrators made their way to the Westwood Mall in neighbouring Mississauga, according to the World Sikh Organization of Canada. More fighting broke out a short time later at the Malton gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship on Airport Road in Mississauga.

Further clashes broke out outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir Monday evening, prompting Peel police to issue a public safety alert, after they said some participants were wielding weapons at a demonstration at the temple. 

Peel police’s public order unit eventually dispersed the groups.

On Wednesday, members of the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee denounced the violence and said this was not a conflict between religions.

“We’re not pointing fingers to the Hindu mandir or the Hindu mandir community or normal devotees. We’re pointing finger here to the Indian officials,” said Jarman Jitsingh. 

The committee and other Sikh advocacy groups have alleged Indian nationalists provoked the fighting and have asked that Indian consular officials be barred from undertaking work outside of their diplomatic roles, arguing the external site visits are being used to incite violence.

WATCH | Ontario Gurdwaras Committee says Sikh Canadians fear for their lives: 

Ontario Gurdwaras Committee says Sikh Canadians fear for their lives after recent violence

Members of the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee say Sikh Canadians fear for their lives following a string of violence in recent days. They say gurdwaras across the country are facing threats and they believe the government of India is behind them. CBC’s Greg Ross has more.

The recent conflicts come amid rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and India over allegations of violence against Canadian Sikhs. Ottawa has accused India’s home minister of being behind several attacks on Sikh activists on Canadian soil. The Indian government denies the accusations.

Last month, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats over allegations they used their positions to collect information on Canadians in the pro-Khalistan independence movement and then passed the details on to criminal gangs who targeted the individuals directly.

India has long accused Canada of harbouring pro-Khalistan terrorists that New Delhi has asked Ottawa to extradite, though Canadian officials say those requests often lack adequate proof.

Brown said earlier this week he plans to introduce a motion at Brampton city council to explore the possibility of prohibiting protests outside places of worship in the municipality.

In the neighbouring municipality of Vaughan, Ont., city council unanimously approved a bylaw in June to prohibit “organizing or participating in a nuisance demonstration” within 100 metres of “vulnerable social infrastructure,” such as places of worship, schools, child-care centres or hospitals.

The City of Vaughan says the bylaw is “not intended to prohibit peaceful gatherings, protests or demonstrations,” including those that are part of a labour union strike.

Tensions have not been confined to Ontario. The same day violence broke out in Brampton and Mississauga, three people were arrested in Surrey, B.C., after “a conflict ensued” outside a  Hindu temple, according to the RCMP.