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Three people have been arrested after violence broke out between groups of protesters at a temple in Surrey on Sunday.

Surrey RCMP were called to the scene outside of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, a Hindu temple located in the 8300 block of 140th Street.

Around 2:30 p.m., officers were expected to maintain order amid hundreds of protesters during a visit by Indian consular officials to the temple. Consular officials periodically visit temples to help people with things such as their Indian pensions.

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A large group representing the Sikh nationalist movement showed up to protest and violence broke out between the groups. Although three arrests were made, no one was injured.

The group dispersed less than an hour after the arrests.

Surrey RCMP Sgt. Tammy Lobb said the suspects were released as the investigation continued.

Lobb said the officer in charge of the Surrey RCMP, Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards, was meeting with local temple leaders to discuss their concerns and ease tensions.

A similar protest at a temple in Brampton, Ontario, on Sunday led to a violent confrontation between Sikh and Hindu protesters.

On social media, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the Ontario attack. “The acts of violence committed today at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely,” Trudeau said on X.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he expects Canadian police to take action. “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada,” he said on X.

“Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to guarantee justice and uphold the rule of law.

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