Now, Indian Envoy To UK Prevented From Entering Scotland Gurdwara, Heckled By Khalistanis

Amid attempts by Khalistani separatists to drum up international support for their cause, Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami was on Friday prevented from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland.

In a video posted on Instagram by ¡®Sikh Youth UK,¡¯ a man was seen blocking Doraiswami from entering the Glasgow Gurudwara on Albert Drive.

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What happened in the Gurdwara

"¡­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.

The 'Sikh Youth UK' claims that there is an ongoing ban on Indian officials visiting the gurdwara in their official capacities.

The video shows two men near the High Commissioner's car in the parking area. One of them is seen attempting to open the car door, which has been locked from the inside.

Forcefully, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami asked not to enter Gurudwara, Glasgow. During his visit to Glasgow, Watch this video. @HCI_London @INSIGHTUK2 @FISI_UK @RVCJ_FB @ABPNews @ZeeNewsEnglish @BBCHindi #India @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar @SushilModi @meaindia1 pic.twitter.com/ni8snh6XOj

¡ª Vedant Verma ?????? ????? (@yashverma__97) September 30, 2023

What Khalistani sympathisers said

After the High Commissioner's car left the premises, another man said 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.

"Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was stopped by a few radicals from entering the Glasgow Gurdwara. Instead of getting into an argument, the Indian High Commissioner decided to leave. The issue has been raised with the UK foreign office and also the police," ANI, quoting sources, reported.

How Sikh leaders reacted

Reacting to the incident, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said anyone from any religion is welcome to Gurdwaras.

"I strongly condemn this (that Vikram Doraiswami was allegedly stopped from entering a gurdwara in Scotland)... Anyone from any religion or community can come here (Gurdwara)...," Sirsa told ANI.

#WATCH | On Vikram Doraiswami, Indian High Commissioner to UK, allegedly stopped from entering a gurdwara in Scotland, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa says, "I strongly condemn this (that Vikram Doraiswami was allegedly stopped from entering a gurdwara in Scotland)... Anyone¡­ pic.twitter.com/Wdv5UsARgP

¡ª ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2023

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has also condemned the action. SGPC General Secretary Grewal said that the UK Envoy should not have been stopped from entering the gurdwara and that the gurdwara is for every religion.

Khalistanis in UK

Like Canada, the UK also has a significant presence of Khalistani separatists.

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In March this year, Khalistani sympathisers had vandalised the Indian High Commission building in London.

Avtar Singh Khanda, a self-styled leader of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), was seen pulling down the tri-colour during a protest by Khalistani supporters.

Kanda, who died in June in a Birmingham hospital, was involved in radicalising Sikh youths and is believed to have played a key role in mentoring Amritpal Singh, the radical preacher and leader of 'Waris Punjab De'.

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