Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday evening, accusing the priest of spreading “violent rhetoric.” He urged the community to refrain from responding to violence and hatred.

The violence began Sunday afternoon at the Brampton temple during a demonstration by members of Sikhs for Justice while Indian consular officials were visiting. Peel police reported being dispatched around noon. Videos shared on social media showed protesters holding banners supporting Khalistan and clashing with others waving the Indian national flag.

Unrest later continued at the Malton gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship in Mississauga, and at the Westwood Mall, as reported by the World Sikh Organization of Canada. Clashes broke out again Monday evening outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir, leading Peel police to issue a public safety alert after reports of weapons being used during the protest. Police enforcement eventually dispersed the groups.

Calls for restraint and allegations

On Wednesday, the Ontario Gurdwara Committee condemned the violence, stressing that it was not a religious conflict. “We are not pointing the finger at the Hindu mandir, its community or its regular worshipers. We are pointing the finger at Indian officials,” said Jarman Jitsingh, a representative of the committee. Sikh advocacy groups have accused Indian nationalists of inciting violence and called for Indian consular officials to be limited in their activities outside their diplomatic role.

Diplomatic tensions and context

The recent clashes come against a backdrop of increased diplomatic friction between Canada and India. Ottawa has accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating attacks on Canadian Sikh activists, allegations New Delhi denies. Last month, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats accused of collecting intelligence on pro-Khalistan Canadians and passing it to criminal groups targeting those individuals.

India has maintained that Canada is harboring pro-Khalistan terrorists and has requested their extradition, but Canadian officials say such requests often lack sufficient evidence.

Potential restrictions on protests

In response to the escalating violence, Mayor Brown indicated his intention to propose a motion to Brampton City Council to explore the possibility of restricting protests near places of worship. Vaughan, a neighboring city, implemented a bylaw in June banning “nuisance protests” within 100 meters of places such as places of worship, schools and hospitals. The regulation allows peaceful protests and demonstrations, including strikes.