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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada over the weekend and described the disturbances outside an Indian consular camp as an “appalling” attempt to intimidate his diplomats as the Relations between the two nations deteriorate.

“Such acts of violence never weaken India’s resolve,” Modi said in a post on social platform X. “We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law .”

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Violence erupted on Sunday when Indian consular officials visited a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario. Peel Regional Police say three people have been arrested and charged.

This weekend, social media posts appeared to show protesters holding banners in support of a separate Sikh country called Khalistan, clashing with others, including some waving the Indian national flag.

“The Khalistani attack on Hindu-Canadian worshipers inside the premises of the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton shows how deep and brazen Khalistani violent extremism has become in Canada,” wrote Liberal MP Chandra Arya, who represents a riding in Ottawa, the X. .

India considers the Khalistani movement to be terrorism.

The videos appeared to show fist fights and people hitting each other with sticks in what appeared to be the compound surrounding the Hindu temple Sabha Mandir.

Police say protesters then moved to two different locations in Mississauga, Ontario, and a police officer was slightly injured while arresting a person during the protests.

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Police said they were investigating “several illegal acts” related to the protests and did not immediately provide details on suspects or charges.

The latest statement comes after months of diplomatic wrangling between the two countries after Canada accused the Indian government of helping orchestrate the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Both countries have since expelled their diplomats and recently a senior Canadian official claimed that Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah had authorized crimes in their country.

Sunday’s violence comes as Hindus celebrate Diwali.

India’s foreign ministry said in a statement Monday that a temple in Brampton had been attacked by “extremists and separatists” and called on the Canadian government to protect all places of worship. “Anti-Indian elements” orchestrated “violent disturbances” outside a consular camp in Brampton on November 3, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said in a statement published on X.

The violence was condemned by a number of Canadian politicians, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said the violence was “totally unacceptable and must be condemned”, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who declared that “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and without risk.”

Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, pledged to “unite our people and end the chaos.”

“All Canadians should be free to practice their faith in peace. Conservatives unequivocally condemn this violence,” Poilievre wrote on X.

With files from Bloomberg and The Canadian Press

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