Hindu temple priest in Brampton reinstated after suspension over alleged 'violent rhetoric'

A Hindu temple priest in Brampton, Canada, who was suspended over alleged "violent rhetoric," has been reinstated to his position after being cleared of any wrongdoing, the Hindu Canadian Foundation informed in a post on X on Friday.

"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 Foundation wrote.

The organisation also criticised Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, questioning his involvement in the matter.


"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. #HinduCanadians and Hindus in Brampton are demanding a clear explanation,” the post further reads.

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


The HCF clarified in a statement that the temple had not authorised Priest Rajinder Prasad's involvement in the demonstration, which led to his initial suspension. However, after a review, the temple reversed the suspension and reinstated him.

"Hindu Sabha had no prior knowledge of his involvement in these activities. Based on preliminary input, Priest Rajinder Prasad was suspended. As a result of further review, we have now reinstated him 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.

The controversy surrounding the priest's suspension adds to the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, which escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential link between Indian agents and the death of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023. India has strongly rejected these claims as "absurd" and has pointed to Canada's tolerance of pro-Khalistan groups as the root cause of the tension.