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Several people injured in an incident at a Sikh temple in Calgary

Several people injured in an incident at a Sikh temple in Calgary

By Mounira Magdy

Published: January 8, 2024

Several people were injured during what Calgary police described as a disturbance at the Dashmesh Cultural Center on Sunday evening.

Around 9 p.m., officers were called to a Sikh temple in northeast Calgary after violence broke out during the protest.

Police told CTV News that up to four people sustained minor injuries during an attack at the demonstration.

Gurptab Bidwan, one of the protest organizers, said some of the temple congregation were gathering to oppose the temple's elected leadership committee, adding "(We were gathering) to oppose their various violations of regulations and a series of infractions and grievances," emphasizing that the leadership does not follow the rules of their creed or obey Sikh religious law.

He said, "They are required to adhere to the Sikh teachings Rehat Maryada issued by the Akal Takht, which is somewhat like our Vatican."

"The problem we face is that this committee that came is acting outside those standards; not only do they violate the Sikh code of conduct Rehat Maryada, which is the Sikh code of conduct, but they also violate the institution’s bylaws stipulated under Alberta law as a nonprofit organization."

Protesters also accused the leaders of lacking communication, unwillingness to resolve community disputes, and general negligence, noting that the protests began on December 24.

Bidwan said, "This is 15 days and nights of protesting in this cold weather, and the committee never came out even once, and the executive committee never came out even once to communicate or speak with the protesters outside. Why are they hiding?"

Calgary police have not released any details about the reason for the assault or whether any charges have been laid.

CTV News contacted the Dashmesh Cultural Center for more information about the incident and the allegations raised by the protesters.

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