SGPC seeks intervention for release of confiscated Guru Granth Sahib ‘Saroops’ in Qatar, MEA responds
The issue came to light after the United Kingdom-based Bhai Kanhaiya Humanitarian Aid brought it to the attention of the Akal Takht Jathedar, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs
PTC Web Desk: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has called for urgent intervention by the Indian government in securing the release of two holy ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib, which have been confiscated by the police in Doha, Qatar.
SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has written to the Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and the Indian Ambassador to Qatar, Vipul, urging them to take swift action to resolve the matter.
The issue came to light after the United Kingdom-based Bhai Kanhaiya Humanitarian Aid brought it to the attention of the Akal Takht Jathedar, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs. The Akal Takht, in turn, requested the SGPC to pursue the matter on behalf of the global Sikh community.
According to Advocate Dhami’s letter, two ‘saroops’ were seized by the Doha police last December from a Sikh man who was arrested but later released. The man had been privately practicing his faith, along with local community members, in a gurdwara established on his private property in Birkat Al-Awamer. Due to the strict restrictions imposed by the Qatari government on the public display and worship of non-Islamic faiths, the practice was carried out discreetly. However, the police intervention led to the confiscation of two holy ‘saroops,’ which have since been kept at the Al Wakra police station in Doha.
In his letter, SGPC chief Advocate Dhami expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that keeping the ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib in a police station is an act of significant disrespect that cannot be tolerated by the Sikh community. He urged the Indian government to leverage its diplomatic channels to secure the immediate release of the sacred texts, which hold immense religious and emotional value for Sikhs worldwide.
Responding to the SGPC's appeal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement acknowledging the issue and detailing the steps already taken by the Indian government. The MEA confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Qatar had been actively engaged with the Qatari authorities regarding the matter. The Ministry stated that the Embassy had provided all possible assistance within the framework of local laws and regulations.
The MEA’s statement added that the Qatari authorities had seized two ‘saroops’ from individuals accused of operating a religious establishment without official approval from the Qatari government. Despite these legal complications, the Indian Embassy successfully facilitated the return of one of the ‘saroops’ and has been assured by Qatari officials that the second ‘saroop’ is being kept with the utmost respect.
"We have seen reports regarding Guru Granth Sahib seized by the Qatari authorities and the demand for their release by the Sikh community. The government has already taken up the matter with the Qatari side, and our Embassy has kept the Sikh community in Doha informed of developments in this regard. We continue to follow up on the matter with Qatari authorities as a high priority and hope for an early resolution," the MEA's statement read.