Key Points
- The Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton suspended Priest Rajinder Parsad after his speech calling for unity following an attack by pro-Khalistani protesters.
- Parsad warned that division among Hindus would lead to destruction and urged the community to stay united.
- Two days after the suspension, Parsad was reinstated following a review by the temple’s board.
- The attack on the temple by pro-Khalistani protesters happened on November 3, disrupting an event with the Indian Consulate.
- Local leaders, including Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, criticized Parsad’s speech for encouraging violent rhetoric.
- Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, condemned the attack but did not directly address the pro-Khalistani groups involved.
Looma News
The Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, Canada, suspended Priest Rajinder Parsad after he gave a speech calling for unity among Hindus following an attack by a pro-Khalistani group on Diwali weekend. Parsad’s warning, “batoge to katoge” (division will bring destruction), went viral on social media and caused a stir. He urged the Hindu community to stay united for their survival and future.
The temple, led by President Madhusudan Lama, stated that Parsad was not authorized to take part in the events that led to the protests and his speech. Parsad’s suspension was announced on November 5, 2024, two days after the protest at the temple, which had been organized by members of the Indo-Canadian community.
On November 7, the temple reversed its decision, reinstating Parsad after reviewing the situation. The temple clarified that the priest’s involvement in the protest had not been pre-approved. This came after Parsad’s speech at a demonstration on November 3, which followed an attack by a Khalistani group inside the temple. The protest had disrupted a consular event co-hosted by the Indian Consulate, and videos from the scene showed the attackers waving Khalistani flags. Peel Police, who were present at the time, faced criticism for their response to the attack.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned Parsad’s speech, calling it “violent rhetoric.” Meanwhile, Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, condemned the attack, but did not specifically address the pro-Khalistani groups involved. The Indian government also expressed concern about the attack and called for action against those responsible, reaffirming the safety of Indian nationals in Canada as a priority.
