'Disgraceful': India's strong reaction after diplomat denied entry in UK Gurdwara
Indian diplomat stopped from entering Gurdwara: After the Indian High Commissioner was blocked from entering a gurdwara in Scotland, India released a strong statement on Saturday, calling the incident "disgraceful." India also said that the matter has been reported to the UK government as well as the police.
According to a press release from the High Commission of India, London, “three persons deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organized by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India on Friday (September 29, 2023). This interaction was to discuss community and consular issues.”
The organizers were also threatened and abused by these elements, the release added.
"The High Commission of India has reported this disgraceful incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police. Multiple community organizations including the organizers have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits," the statement further said.
Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami was restricted from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland on Friday. The development comes amid the India-Canada Diplomatic Tensions which strained as a result of the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar,
In a video, which is doing rounds on the Internet, a man was seen blocking Doraiswami from entering the Glasgow Gurdwara on Albert Drive. In the video, man was heard saying, “…They are hurting Sikhs in Canada and other places, every Sikh should protest against any Indian Ambassador like we did here in Glasgow.”
The youth also claims that there is an ongoing ban on Indian officials visiting the Gurdwara in their official capacities. The video further shows the visuals in which, two men can be seen near the High Commissioner’s car in the parking area. One of them is seen attempting to open the car door, which has been locked from the inside. The purported video then shows the high commissioner’s car leaving the gurdwara premises.
The video then shows another man speaking to the camera that this is how any Indian ambassador or any Indian government official who visits the Gurdwara will be treated.
Also Read | Indian envoy to UK Vikram Doraiswami restricted from entering Scotland Gurdwara amid India-Canada row
- With inputs from agencies
