India on Saturday raised with the United Kingdom the denial of entry to India’s High Commissioner to a Gurudwara in Glasgow. India reportedly raised the issue with the UK’s foreign office and the British police.
India’s envoy to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, who was visiting a gurudwara in Glasgow was reportedly stopped by pro-Khalistani youths from entering the place. A video posted on the Instagram handle ‘Sikh Youth UK’ shows the ambassador’s car being stopped by Khalistani supporters and the car leaving the premises.
According to reports, the Doraiswami was touring Scotland this week. During a planned visit to Glasgow Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib on Albert Drive on Friday, members of Sikh Youths UK posted videos of their face-off with gurdwara officials as a few of them approached the High Commissioner's car and asked him to leave.
"Doraiswami was on Friday stopped by a few radicals from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow. The Indian High Commissioner decided to leave instead of getting into an argument," ANI reported quoting government sources.
In the Instagram post, they said, “The Indian ambassador to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami was refused entry to Glasgow Gurdwara Albert Dr today. There is an ‘ongoing ban on Indian officials’ coming to their gurdwara in an official capacity. Sikh nuajwan confronted him and removed him from the gurdwara premises.”
It follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement in the country's Parliament last week that the authorities are actively pursuing “credible allegations" related to Indian government involvement in the murder of Nijjar, a designated terrorist, allegations which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly rejected as absurd and motivated.
“This is exactly how we should be greeting any Indian ambassador, anyone from the Indian government who comes in an official capacity under any excuse of doing visa applications or whatever it might be,” a Sikh man is heard saying in a video posted on social media following the altercation in Glasgow.
According to officials in the know, the meeting at the gurdwara had been organised as part of the events at the request of the gurdwara committee to meet Sikh groups and address their concerns over consular and other matters. Sources said the unnecessary altercation by a few outsiders and radical elements interrupted an interaction and community engagement planned by a majority of peace-loving Sikhs in the city.
During his meeting with Scotland's First Minister, Hamza Yousaf, the issue of British Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal in custody on terrorism charges in India was also raised.
“Replying to some issues raised by FM (First Minister Hamza) Yousaf, HC (High Commissioner) stressed that due process is being given under laws to Mr Johal, who faces 8 serious terror charges. FM also appreciated' HC's clear message that rights of all communities are guaranteed in India's pluralist and free democracy,” the Indian High Commission tweeted with reference to the meeting.
(With PTI inputs.)
