CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Culture Clash Prompts Vicious Brawl At Turlock Sikh Temple
TURLOCK (CBS13) — A house of peace turned violent after two factions of a local Sikh temple got into a vicious brawl over its future.
Turlock Police say they've been coming to Sunday worship for the past six months because of the potential of a disagreement between two ideologies breaking out into violence.
Temple member Harinder Toor shot video inside the temple where he says a clash between the more progressive temple founders and the more conservative recent Indian immigrants.
"Old-fashioned view that just migrated to America, their ideology and the progressive, modern people do not mix," he said.
In 2015, the conservative group took over the temple, citing misuse of temple funds, but a Stanislaus County court ordered the temple be given back to the original leadership in December.
Toor says Sunday's fight started with two women.
"There's a key or some key they didn't give out or someone's balking at the idea of giving the key back," he said.
Turlock Police say they were able to arrive within seconds, because they were already waiting outside the gate.
Police were originally called at 9:40 a.m. for a disturbance, but didn't find anyone. This fight broke out at noon.
"Our officers were actually extra patrolling the facility, when they were flagged down about a fight going on inside," Sgt. Steve Webb said.
No arrests have been made, but the investigation is ongoing.
"We're currently looking at videos, talking to witnesses, talking to alleged victims," he said.
A few members have hired Modesto attorney Jak Sodhi and are preparing a civil suit against other members they say attacked them.
Turlock Police plan to be back next weekend.
