A Peel Regional Police officer has been suspended from duty after he was filmed taking part in a controversial protest outside a Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday.

Police are “aware of a video circulating on social media showing an off-duty Peel police officer involved in a protest,” media relations manager Richard Chin said in an email to CBC News.

“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 project for an independent Sikh homeland in northern Indiaand clashes with other individuals, some of whom were 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.

CBC Toronto has not been able to independently verify what happened in the videos.

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

On Sunday afternoon, 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 peaceful and safe 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 has drawn denunciations 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.