It may be noted that a video went viral where a pro-Khalistani activist is seen blocking the envoy, and the two men approach the envoy’s car.
Published Sep 30, 2023 | 5:38 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 30, 2023 | 5:38 PM
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami. (Wikimedia)
Amidst the huge uproar over the stopping of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow, UK, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has virtually justified the act, saying some sort of tension could have led to it.
It may be noted that a video went viral where a pro-Khalistani activist is seen blocking the envoy, and the two men approach the envoy’s car where one tries to unlock it, though it was locked from inside, the car then moves away. Vikram Doraiswami is on a tour to Scotland.
“People of England are upset with the illegal arrest of Jaggi Johal. That is the reason all of this is happening,” said SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal.
“We want to ask the Indian High Commission that any kind of tension should not be created. If something like this has happened with an ambassador in a gurdwara, it affects the reputation of Sikhs,” he further added.
“Earlier, an ambassador was beaten, we don’t support it. The reputation of Sikhs is affected all over the world. There is no restriction on entering any gurdwara.”
“But I don’t know what their reasons were. To avoid any tensions created because of his (Vikram Doraiswami) visit, they must have stopped him,” he remarked.
“They are hurting Sikhs in Canada, and every Sikh should protest against any Indian ambassador like we did across the world. We know what games they are playing, and what’s happening in Canada. The Canadian prime minister has openly condemned India and expelled Indian diplomats,” the man was heard saying in the video.
The incident has led to a major uproar in diplomatic circles, and India taking a stern stance has demanded immediate action and additional security for High Commissioner Doraiswami. The matter was urgently raised with the authorities in London.
Sources in London said Doraiswami had gone to gurdwara on being invited, but two unidentified men came and stopped him..
Doraiswami has been holding meetings with the Indian diaspora in Scotland.
