Ottawa: The priest of a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Brampton has been suspended for spreading “violent rhetoric” during recent clashes between protesters carrying Khalistan flags and those present.

On November 3, the protest took place at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show protesters holding banners in support of Khalistan. The videos showed fist fights and people hitting each other with sticks on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the temple.

Protesters waving Khalistan flags clashed with people and disrupted a consular event co-organized by temple authorities and the Indian consulate.

A statement from the Hindu Sabha Mandir on Wednesday said the suspension was due to the priest’s “controversial involvement” in Sunday’s protesters, but gave no further details, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Regarding X, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the priest had spread “violent rhetoric,” asking the community not to respond to violence and hatred.

“This is leadership that is helpful. The vast majority of Sikh and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and do not tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir Chairman Madhusudan Lama has suspended the expert who broadcast a violent rhetoric. The Sikh and Gurdwara Council of Ontario denounced the acts of violence in the Hindu Sabha on Sunday evening,” Brown said in his message.

“Remember, we all have more in common than what divides us. In times of tension, we cannot let agitators fuel the flames of division. Leaders of the Sikh and Hindu communities in the Greater Toronto Area do not want this division, this hatred and this violence “I ask all members of the community not to respond to violence and hatred. Law enforcement will be there to respond. It’s their job. We must continue to be a country where the rule of law is respected,” the message continues.

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.

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, hoping that those engaging in violence “will be prosecuted.”

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said New Delhi remained “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada.

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

New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s accusations, calling them “absurd.”

India maintains that the main issue between the two countries is Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating with impunity from Canadian soil.