India envoy blocked entering Glasgow gurudwara by ‘Khalistan supporters’

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

NEW YORK, 1st Oct. Indian High Commissioner to Great Britain Vikram Doraiswami on Saturday was allegedly denied entry to gurudwara in Glasgow by Khalistani “extremist elements”.

The envoy Mr. Doraiswami in a statement said that the issue has been reported to the UK government as well as local police.

India has condemned the “disgraceful” incident in which Indian high commissioner to the United Kingdom, and the issue has been reported to the UK government as well as local police.

“The High Commission of India has reported the disgraceful incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Metropolitan Police. Multiple community organisations including the organisers have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits”, the statement read.

Mr. Doraiswami was invited to a community interaction organized by the Gurudwara Committee on Friday.

When he reached the parking lot of the Gurudwara, three men forcefully tried to open his car door.

The door was locked and one of the organizers physically removed the men after which the high commissioner left the scene.

The Indian high commission said in a statement that “On September 29, 2023, three persons- all from areas outside Scotland-deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organized by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. This interaction was to discuss community and consular issues.”

“The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and committee members, and a member of Scottish parliament. They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the HC and CG decided to leave the premises shortly upon their arrival”, the statement added.

 “It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organizers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided”, Mr. Doraiswami said.

The incident happened in the backdrop of the relations between India and Canada has been low after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of New Delhi role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India rejected the charge, calling it “absurd” and “motivated.” Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to India to support its claim.

According to a purported video posted on the Instagram channel of ‘Sikh Youth UK,’ a man reportedly a pro-Khalistani activist was seen blocking the Indian envoy from entering the Glasgow Gurdwara at Albert Drive.

“They are hurting Sikhs in Canada and other places, every Sikh should protest against any Indian ambassador like we did here in Glasgow,” the man is heard saying in the video.

‘Sikh Youth UK claims that there is a ban on Indian officials visiting the gurdwara in their official capacities.

The video shows two men 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 envoy’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.

“We know what games they are playing, what’s happening in Canada. The Canadian PM has openly condemned India and expelled Indian diplomats,” he said.

The incident has put the spotlight on the safety and security of Indian diplomats in the UK.

It took place months after the Indian High Commission in London was attacked by pro-Khalistani forces.

The UK has assured of necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the Indian High Commission in London and its staff.

The issue came up for discussion when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the margins of the G20 Summit in New Delhi earlier this month.

A formal reaction from the Indian High Commission in London or the Ministry of External Affairs on the incident is awaited.