Canada temple attack: Brampton bans protests near places of worship
What's the story
After the violent disruption at a Hindu temple earlier this month, the Brampton City Council in Canada has unanimously passed a bylaw prohibiting protests within 100 meters of places of worship. The legislation prescribes fines from $500 to $100,000 for violations. Mayor Patrick Brown clarified the bylaw isn't about political protest but ensuring everyone has "the right to pray without fear, intimidation, or violence."
Incident aftermath
Bylaw response to Hindu Sabha Temple incident
The bylaw was passed after a violent incident outside a consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton on November 3. The disruption, which involved alleged harassment of attendees including women and children, was widely condemned. The Hindu Canadian Foundation blamed Khalistani extremists for the violence and shared footage of the incident.
PM's response
Trudeau condemns attack, reaffirms religious freedom
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also condemned the attack as "unacceptable," reiterating that every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely. He also praised Peel Regional Police for their swift response to the incident. Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the disruption as a threat to safety and cited similar incidents in Vancouver and Surrey, raising concerns over rising religious intolerance in Canada.
Legal measures
Mayor Brown advocates for legal protection of worship places
Before the bylaw was enacted, Mayor Brown had pushed for legal measures to protect places of worship as safe spaces free from violence and intimidation. He had said, "Places of worship should be safe spaces free of violence and intimidation." The newly enacted bylaw is expected to provide such protections, ensuring that worshippers across Brampton can practice their faith without fear.