Mayor Patrick Brown’s weak by-law leaves Brampton Hindus vulnerable

November 24, 2024: Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has failed the Hindu community once again. His newly passed by-law, which purports to protect places of worship from raucous protesters, is a mere façade designed to appease Khalistani extremists under the guise of neutrality. 

Following the unprecedented events of November 3 and 4, when Khalistani agitators attacked Hindu devotees at the Hindu Sabha Mandir and galvanised the Hindu community to rise up in protest, Brown promised action: a by-law prohibiting protests at places of worship (including temples). On November 20, Brampton City Council passed the by-law, with much publicity and fanfare — and a glaring loophole: protests against foreign governments are still allowed near a place of worship.

This effectively renders the by-law meaningless, as Khalistani extremists consistently disguise their anti-Hindu agenda as “anti-India” protests. Notably, the city of Vaughan, ON, also passed a similar by-law earlier this year without any exceptions for protests against foreign governments—and effectively balancing citizens’ rights to pray and to protest in peace.

Unfortunately, in Brampton, ON, Mayor Brown has failed to protect his city’s religious minorities. Instead, he seems to have capitulated to Khalistani extremists. This is deeply worrisome.

Mississauga’s city council is also considering a by-law to protect houses of worship. We can only hope that Mayor Carolyn Parrish, who until recently was a member from the Peel Police Service Board, will not follow in the footsteps of her counterpart from Brampton. Unfortunately, she has a troubling history of Hinduphobia, evidenced by her remarks during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that Hindu temples were unsuitable for humanitarian work.

CoHNA and the broader Hindu community demand real action and equal treatment, not performative politics. If Mayor Brown and other leaders truly care about religious harmony, they must close these loopholes and ensure that all communities feel protected—not just those with political clout. Their Hindu constituents deserve better. Brampton, Mississauga, and cities across Canada deserve better. It is time to stop appeasing extremists, end two-tier policing and discrimination against the Hindu community, and protect all religious communities with the dignity and safety they deserve.

Sincerely,

CoHNA Canada Board