In a concerning incident, Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, was allegedly prevented from entering a Gurudwara in Scotland. The High Commission of India in London has provided details of the incident, which transpired on September 29, 2023. According to official statements from the High Commission, the incident occurred when three individuals from areas outside Scotland deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organised by the Gurudwara Committee.
The gathering was intended to bring together the community, the High Commissioner, and the Consul General of India. Among the participants were senior community leaders, women, committee members, and a member of the 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 informed.
The High Commission noted that one of the non-local extremist elements even attempted to violently force open the High Commissioner’s car door and a quick reaction from one of the organisers who physically intervened at the car door prevented a more serious incident.
“One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC’s car door – a matter that will require suitable police consideration. 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.Multiple community organizations including the organizers have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits,” the High Commission stated.
The incident has drawn condemnation, including from Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed, who expressed her concern. She emphasised the importance of safety and security for foreign diplomats and called for places of worship in the UK to be open to all.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also strongly decried the incident. Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that Gurdwaras are open to individuals from any religion or community, and Sikhs are represented worldwide.
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, a BJP leader, reinforced these sentiments, stating, “I strongly condemn this incident… Anyone from any religion or community can come here (Gurdwara)… We are not a religion that believes in violence, instead we are among those who are saviours of humanity… Sikhs are the saviours… PM Modi has praised the work of our community… Sikhs are represented everywhere in the world… The safest place for Sikhs in the world is in India,” as quoted by ANI.
The incident comes as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar voiced India’s concern over the safety of Indian diplomats stationed in Canada, citing public intimidation of diplomats as a reason for temporarily suspending visa services.
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