UK minister expresses concern over attack on Indian envoy at Glasgow Gurudwara

On Saturday, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK’s Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, stated that she was “concerned” to see that the Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami was prevented from attending the Gurudwara Committee in Glasgow. The security and safety of international locations are of the utmost significance, and places of worship in the United Kingdom should be accessible to all, according to Trevelyan on X, formerly known as Twitter. Anne-Marie Trevelyan said, “Concerned to see that the Indian High Commissioner @VDoraiswami was stopped from meeting with the Gurudwara Committee at the Gurudwara in Glasgow. The safety and security of foreign diplomats is of utmost importance and our places of worship in the UK must be open to all.” The Glasgow Gurudwara experienced a “disgraceful incident” earlier today when individuals from outside Scotland “deliberately disrupted” a scheduled gathering for the Indian High Commissioner and Consul General. The Indian High Commission in London says it has informed UK authorities of the incident. According to a statement issued by India’s High Commission in London, immediately after his arrival, the High Commissioner and Consul General of India made the decision to depart the premises in order to avoid any potential incident. “On September 29, 2023, three persons– all from areas outside Scotland–deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organized by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. This interaction was to discuss community and consular issues,” India’s High Commission in London statement read. It further said, “The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of Scottish Parliament. They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the HC and CG decided to leave the premises shortly upon their arrival.” The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police have both been informed of the incident, according to the Indian High Commission. According to the statement, numerous local organisations, including the organisers, have publicly expressed regret for the tragedy and requested the authorities to punish those responsible. “One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC’s car door - a matter that will require suitable police consideration. It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organizers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided,” India’s High Commission in London said in a statement. Doraiswami was allegedly prevented from entering the Glasgow Gurudwara on Albert Drive by a man who was allegedly a pro-Khalistani protester, according to a fictitious video released on the Instagram account of “Sikh Youth UK.” The most recent occurrence occurs in the midst of a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada over the June 18 murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar at a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia. (With agency inputs)