Ottawa:

A Canadian police officer was suspended Monday after a video went viral on social media showing him taking part in a pro-Khalistan protest outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, media reported citing authorities.

The suspended Peel Regional Police officer, identified as Harinder Sohi, was filmed holding a Khalistan flag, while other protest participants chanted anti-Indian slogans, CBC News reported.

Sohi was a sergeant with the Peel Regional Police.

Media relations officer Richard Chin emailed CBC News to say police were “aware of a video circulating on social media showing an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a protest “.

“This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act,” he said.

“We are investigating the full circumstances described in the video and are unable to provide further information until this investigation is completed.”

Peel Regional Police previously said three people were charged after violence broke out while Indian consular officials visited the Hindu temple Sabha Mandir on Sunday.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show protesters holding banners in support of Khalistan, a plan for an independent Sikh homeland in northern India, and clashing with other individuals, including some waving the Indian national flag.

The videos appear to show fist fights and people hitting each other with sticks on what appears to be the grounds surrounding the Hindu temple Sabha Mandir.

Peel police said the event was eventually moved to two other locations in neighboring Mississauga, where other protests also took place.

By midday on Sunday, Peel police said they were aware of the protest and had increased their presence at the Hindu temple Sabha Mandir to maintain public order and safety.

“We respect the right to peacefully and safely protest, but we will not tolerate violence or criminal acts,” Chief Nishan Duraiappah said after the videos began circulating.

“Those who participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested and charged.”

The violence drew condemnations from Canadian political leaders at all levels of government and also prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to issue a rare comment at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Taking note of this “deliberate attack”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanded accountability from the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government and expected it to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

In an article on X, Prime Minister Modi said: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats are equally appalling. Such acts of violence never weaken India’s resolve.

Meanwhile, the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) said he is “deeply concerned” about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada, adding that he expects those who indulge in violence to be prosecuted .

“We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated yesterday by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario. We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected against such attacks,” said the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)