NEW DELHI: A Hindu temple priest in Brampton, Canada, who was earlier suspended for alleged “violent rhetoric”, has been restored to his position.
“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,” The Hindu Canadian Foundation said in a post on X
The organisation criticised Brampton’s Mayor Patrick Brown, stating: “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 Hindu priest was suspended following an incident that occurred 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 Hindu Sabha had not authorised Priest Rajinder Parsad’s involvement in these activities, leading to his initial suspension. Following a thorough review, the temple reinstated him to his duties.
“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 as.
“Hindu Sabha remains committed to fostering unity & peaceful coexistence within our diverse Canadian society,” it added.
The recent attack on the Hindu temple adds to the existing diplomatic tension between Canada and India, which escalated after Prime Minister Trudeau alleged a “potential” connection between Indian agents and Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death in September 2023.
India has firmly dismissed these claims as “absurd”, whilst maintaining that Canada’s permissive stance towards pro-Khalistan groups is the primary issue.