The High Commission of India, London in a strong statement on Saturday had termed the Glasgow incident, where an Indian envoy was allegedly stopped from entering a Gurudwara, as “disgraceful”.
The Commission said that it was a deliberate attempt by “three persons”, all from areas outside Scotland, to disrupt the envoy’s planned interaction with the community leaders. The interaction was organised by the Gurudwara Committee, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India, to discuss community and consular issues.
The High Commission stated that the “disgraceful incident” has been reported to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police as well.
“One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC’s car- a matter that will require suitable police consideration” stated the High Commission.
The HC also noted that a bigger incident was avoided with the intervention of the organisers present at the site.
The community leaders, ladies, committee members and a member of Scottish Parliament were threatened and abused by these elements, the statement further added.
India’s envoy to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, who was visiting a gurudwara in Glasgow was allegedly stopped by pro-Khalistani youths from entering the place. A video posted on the Instagram handle ‘Sikh Youth UK’ shows the ambassador’s car being stopped by Khalistani supporters and the car leaving the premises.
“The Indian ambassador to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami was refused entry to Glasgow Gurdwara Albert Dr today. There is an ‘ongoing ban on Indian officials’ coming to their gurdwara in an official capacity. Sikh nuajwan confronted him and removed him from the gurdwara premises,” read the Instagram post.
Later, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the incident. The Committee in a statement sais that the envoy should not have been stopped from entering the gurdwara.