On November 3, 2024, the Canadian National Council of Hindus (CNCH), the Hindu Federation, and several prominent Canadian Hindu leaders issued a directive: no politician can use Canadian Hindu temple platforms for political purposes. This directive was prompted by the recent attacks on the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton by pro-Khalistan groups. The Hindu community in Canada has faced an increase in violence with a widespread perception that politicians have failed to address escalating Hinduphobia in Canada. The CNCH emphasised that while politicians are welcome to visit temples as devotees, they must address anti-Hindu extremism if they wish to use Hindu spaces to promote their political views.
On November 20th 2024, Mr. Madhusudhan Lama, president of the Hindu Sabha Temple, invited Ontario politician Patrick Brown to attend the temple’s Hindu Heritage Month event. Lama’s invitation contradicted the CNCH directive and raised concerns about the temple’s political neutrality. Patrick Brown has been criticized for his weak stance against anti-Hindu extremism in Canada, further intensifying scrutiny of Lama’s invitation. This is not the first instance where Lama has sparked controversy within the Canadian Hindu community. His role in the cancellation of the January 2023 proclamation to congratulate Hindus on the rebuilding of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir (Ayodhya) remains a point of contention. Additionally, Lama was involved in dismissing the Hindu Sabha Mandir’s Pujari, Rajinder Prasad. Prasad had publicly called for Hindu unity when the temple came under attack. Following criticism of his dismissal from Hindus across Canada, the Pujari was reinstated.