Rajinder Parsad, a priest of the Brampton Hindu Sabha Temple in Canada, has been suspended by the management for his alleged involvement in the clashes with pro-Khalistani protesters on the temple premises on Sunday.

The Hindu Sabha Temple leadership, in a statement on Wednesday, said the priest had been suspended for his “controversial involvement” in Sunday’s clashes with protesters. However, they did not elaborate on the nature of his involvement in the clashes, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation said.

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“Due to the controversial involvement of Hindu Sabha priest Rajinder Parsad with unauthorized protesters on the premises of the Hindu Sabha on November 3, 2024, the Hindu Sabha suspends Rajinder Parsad with immediate effect,” said Brampton Hindu Sabha President Madhusudan Lama. Temples, he said.

During Sunday’s violent clash, protesters waving Khalistani flags physically engaged a pro-India crowd. The videos showed the two groups engaging in fistfights and using the flags to swing at each other. The development was reported outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir during a consular event attended by Indian officials.

Welcoming the disciplinary action against Rajinder Prasad, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said communities should not let violent forces divide them.

“This is leadership that is helpful. The vast majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and do not tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir president Madhusudan Lama suspended the pundit who spread violent rhetoric. The Ontario Sikh Council and Gurdwara denounced the acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha on Sunday evening,” Brown said on X (formerly Twitter).

“Remember that we all have more in common than what separates us. In tense times, we cannot let agitators fuel the flames of division. The leadership of the Sikh and Hindu communities in the GTA does not want this division, hatred and violence. 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 respected”, added the mayor.

Violence initially erupted at the Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday afternoon after members of a group called Sikhs for Justice staged a protest while Indian consular officials were visiting. Officers were dispatched to the property around noon, Peel police said.

Relations between India and Canada have come under severe strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last September of “potential” involvement by Indian agents in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Sunday’s incident was condemned by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.

Trudeau thanked local authorities for their quick response to protect the community and investigate this incident.

India condemned the attack with the expectation that those who engage in violence “will be prosecuted”.