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Canada police arrest Hindu leader for inciting violence during Khalistani protest, temple priest suspended for his 'controversial role'

PUNJAB NEWS EXPRESS | November 08, 2024 09:00 AM

Three Khalistani activists already arrested, more arrests are expected, says Canada police
Satinder Bains reports from Brampton
BRAMPTON, Canada: The Peel region police in has arrested a Hindu leader Ranendra Lal Banerjee for inciting violence during the clash between Khalistani protestors and nationalist Hindus outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton on November 3.

Ron Banerjee

Bannerjee was not part of Hindu Sabha management and he reported to have led the group of nationalist Hindus to oppose the protest by Khalistan supporters. He was captured using a loudspeaker to incite violence, calling for groups to storm Sikh temples. Also known as Ron Banerjeet is president of Hindu Conference, a right wing organistion.

The Peel region police today announced that Ranendra Lal Banerjee, a 57-year-old man from Toronto was arrested and charged with Public incitement of hatred contrary to section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. He was released with conditions and is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.

Police have also issued arrest warrants for 24-year-old Armaan Gahlot of Kitchener and 22-year-old Arpit, who they say has no surname. They are wanted for uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, conspiracy to commit assault with a weapon and conspiracy to commit mischief. Canada police said that more arrests were expected in coming days.

Three persons who participated in Khalistani protest and entered in Mandir complex were already arrested.

Rajinder Parsad, a priest of the Hindu Sabha Temple was suspended by the temple management over his alleged involvement in clashes with pro-Khalistani protestors at the temple premises. "Due to controversial involvement of Hindu Sabha priest Rajinder Parsad with non-permitted protesters on the Hindu Sabha premises on November 3, 2024, Hindu Sabha is suspending Rajinder Parsad with immediate effect, ” the statement issued by Madhusudan Lama, President of Brampton Hindu Sabha Temple, said.

Indian Prime Minister Narender Modi and several BJP leaders had projected the incident as an attack on the Hindu temple and condemned the Canadian government for not protecting Hindu places of worship.

Officials representing Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras have also come out to condemn the violent incidents, saying they are unacceptable.

“Nobody should feel unsafe inside and around their place of worship, ” the president of Hindu Sabha said in a written statement on Wednesday. “Hindu Sabha stands for peace, happiness within our both communities.

The Hindu temple confirmed that it suspended one of its priests for allegedly promoting hateful speech. Welcoming the disciplinary measure against Rajinder Prasad, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said communities shouldn't let violent forces divide them.

“This is leadership that is helpful. The vast majority of Sikh Canadians and Hindu Canadians want to live in harmony and don’t tolerate violence. Hindu Sabha Mandir President Madhusudan Lama has suspended the pundit who spread violent rhetoric. The Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council denounced the acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha on Sunday night, ” Brown said on X (formerly Twitter).

At a news conference on Wednesday, Jarmanjit Singh with the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee said the incidents are not because there is a conflict between Hindus and Sikhs but due to “pro-India” groups.

“Our message is clear: this isn’t a clash between Hindus and Sikhs. We welcome Hindus and vice versa, ” Singh said.

Bhagat Singh Brar, also with the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, added Sunday’s protest wasn’t against the Hindu community but against the Indian officials providing consular services at the temple.

Two groups clashed outside the temple during a consular event attended by Indian officials. The Khalistanis (Sikhs for Justice) were protesting against the Indian consulate staff and carrying Khalsitan flags while the other group was raising pro-India slogans and carrying Indian flags. The reports said that Hindu group was not connected with the Hindu Sabha temple. Rajinder Parsad had participated in the protest which led to his suspension, it is learnt.

Canada has recently accused India’s home minister Amit Shah of targeting Sikh activists, which the Indian government has denied. Last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that there were “credible allegations” that the Indian government was linked to the killing of a British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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