The High Commission of India has lodged a complaint with the Foreign Office after one of its top diplomats was confronted by protesters at a gurdwara in Glasgow. Vikram Doraiswami had been invited to the place of worship to discuss community and consular issues, but left after he was approached by a small number of activists. A Sikh youth group later claimed there was a longstanding ban on Indian officials visiting gurdwaras. The confrontation follows an international row over suggestions Indian agents may be linked to the murder of a Sikh separatist in Canada.
Mr Doraiswami’s visit to the gurdwara took place during a series of engagements in Scotland. Footage posted on social media shows him being approached by three people after his car pulled up outside the gurdwara in Glasgow’s Albert Drive. He remained seated in the back of the car while one of the demonstrators appeared to make an attempt to open the door. Another protester can be heard saying: “I think it’s best if you go.” The diplomat was then driven away.
A statement issued by National Sikh Youth Federation on behalf of “major Sikh bodies” said the three activists had upheld “a longstanding ban on Indian officials visiting gurdwaras in their official capacity”. They denied carrying out any kind of assault. The High Commission of India said the diplomat had been invited to the building by the Gurdwara committee, and that the organisers included community leaders and an MSP. “They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the High Commissioner and Consul General decided to leave the premises on their arrival,” it said in a statement.
The High Commission said it had reported the “disgraceful incident” to the Foreign Office and the police. It said the three activists were not from Scotland. Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevleyan posted on social media that she was “concerned” by the incident. “The safety and security of foreign diplomats is of utmost importance and our places of worship in the UK must be open to all,” she posted. Police Scotland confirmed that it had been called to reports of a disturbance at the gurdwara at 13:05 on Friday. “There were no reports of any injuries, and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances,” a spokesperson said
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More