Indian envoy to UK Vikram Doraiswami restricted from entering Scotland Gurdwara amid India-Canada row

Indian envoy to UK stopped from entering Gurdwara:  Amid the India-Canada Diplomatic Tensions which strained as a result of the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami was restricted from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland.

In a video, which is doing rounds on 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.” 

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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.

The UK incident comes amid a growing strain in India-Canada ties following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

A formal reaction from the Indian High Commission in London and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the incident is awaited.

Meanwhile, highlighting incidents of threats, violence, and intimidation and blame against Indian diplomats External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar questioned whether the reaction would have been the same if a similar situation had occurred in any other country.Emphasising the India-Canada Dilpmatic Tensions, S Jaishankar said that the situation in Ottawa should not be normalised. 

Addressing in support of Sikh Community, S Jaishankar said that Modi government has paid close attention to Sikh community issues.

S Jaishankar said that the extremist elements are just a “small minority” and do not represent the entire community.

Notably, PM Trudeau has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

On the other hand, Trudeau’s remarks led to the further worsening of already strained ties between the countries. India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing.

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Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise “utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence" in the country.

- With inputs from agencies

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