Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, was denied entry to a gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland, on Friday.
An individual who was allegedly a pro-Khalistani protester was seen barring Doraiswami from entering the Glasgow Gurudwara on Albert Drive, according to a fictitious video that was released on the Instagram account of “Sikh Youth UK.” This occurs in the midst of a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada following the murder of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani.
Amidst India-Canada row over Khalistan terrorist killing, Indian envoy to UK stopped from entering Scotland Gurudwara
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/tWMM7ydEMq#India #UK #UKEnvoy #VikramDoraiswami #Glasgow pic.twitter.com/rknYUvDXva
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) September 30, 2023
“…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.
According to the “Sikh Youth UK,” accessing the gurdwara in official capacity by Indian officials is still prohibited. Two males can be seen in the footage standing by the High Commissioner’s car in the parking space. The automobile door, which has been locked from the inside, is shown being attempted to be opened by one of them. The high commissioner’s automobile is subsequently seen departing the gurudwara grounds in the allegedly recorded footage.
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.
After Canada, now Khalistanis block entry of Vikram Doraiswami, Indian ambassador to UK inside #Scotland's Gurudwara: They even tried to open his car door but it was locked and his car immediately took off after the incident
According to the details, Doraiswami was stopped by a… pic.twitter.com/KZgeYYIRqC
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) September 30, 2023
The incident was first reported by the Times of India TOI. The Indian High Commissioner was scheduled to meet with the gurdwara committee of the Glasgow Gurdwara on Albert Drive, according to a pro-Khalistan activist who spoke with TOI. He departed when a few others told him he wasn’t welcome, according to the activist. There was a small altercation. The gurdwara committee is probably not too pleased with what transpired. But no gurdwara in the UK will accept Indian authorities.
“We are tired of the UK-Indian conspiracy. The recent unrest following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has resulted in British Sikhs becoming targets. Additionally, this has to do with Jagtar Singh Johal and Avtar Singh Khanda.
A formal response to the incident is awaited from the Indian High Commission in London and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The event in the UK occurs when tensions between India and Canada are escalating as a result of allegations made by Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, that the Indian government was complicit in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India categorically denies the allegations, labeling them as “absurd” and “motivated.” Notably, Canada has not yet made any public proof of the alleged murder of Nijjar available.
In the meantime, episodes of threats, violence, and intimidation against Indian diplomats and missions in Canada have been underlined by External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. He has questioned whether or not the response would have been the same if a comparable circumstance had taken place in any other nation.
He further emphasized that the situation in Ottawa should not be normalized.
Addressing a press conference in Washington DC on Friday, S Jaishankar said, “…Our point is that there is today a climate of violence, an atmosphere of intimidation…Just think about it. We have had smoke bombs thrown at the mission. We have had our consulates…violence in front of them. Individuals have been targeted and intimidated. There are posters put up about people”.
The UK has meanwhile said it is in “close touch” with its Canadian partners about serious allegations made by PM Trudeau on India’s link in the alleged assassination of Nijjar.
“We are in close touch with our Canadian partners about these serious allegations,” a UK government spokesperson told ANI.
