Suspended Brampton Temple Priest Reinstated Amid Growing India-Canada Tensions Over Khalistan Row

A Hindu temple priest in Brampton, Canada, who was previously suspended over allegations of "violent rhetoric," has now been reinstated.

"Rajender Prasad has been reinstated as the temple priest, cleared of any wrongdoing. The current situation reveals an ecosystem seemingly designed to defame Hindu Canadians and the Hindu community," stated the Hindu Canadian Foundation in a post on X.

Photo Credit: PTI

The organisation criticised Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, remarking: "Patrick Brown, your role in this matter appears questionable, as you have tarnished an individual's reputation by posting on your official account without evidence or proper inquiry. Hindu Canadians and Hindus in Brampton are demanding a clear explanation."

The priest was initially suspended following an incident on November 3 at the Hindu Sabha Temple, where demonstrators reportedly carrying Khalistani flags disrupted a consular event co-hosted by temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

In its official statement, the Hindu Canadian Foundation clarified that the Hindu Sabha had not sanctioned Priest Rajinder Parsad's involvement in the activities in question, leading to his initial suspension. After a comprehensive review, he was subsequently reinstated to his role.

"Hindu Sabha had no prior knowledge of his involvement in these activities. Based on preliminary input, Priest Rajinder Parsad was suspended. As a result of further review, we have now reinstated Priest Rajinder Parsad to his duties and responsibilities at Hindu Sabha," the statement read.

"Hindu Sabha remains committed to fostering unity & peaceful coexistence within our diverse Canadian society," it added.

This incident has heightened diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, already strained since Prime Minister Trudeau alleged a "potential" link between Indian agents and the death of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023. India has categorically rejected these accusations as "absurd" and asserts that Canada's tolerant stance toward pro-Khalistan groups is the underlying issue.