Indian Envoy Denied Entry to Glasgow Gurdwara: How it Unfolded & Pro-Khalistani Activities in UK Explained

Amid the ongoing diplomatic rift between India and Canada over Khalistani activities, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK was stopped by three persons from entering a gurdwara while on a visit to Scotland.

The Indian embassy in the UK issued a statement saying its top diplomat Vikram Doraiswami and another senior official had been due to meet community leaders at a Sikh gurdwara or place of worship on Friday in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.

However, three “non-local extremist elements” threatened the diplomats and one tried to open the door of Doraiswami’s car, prompting the officials to abandon the visit.

How the Incident Unfolded

Vikram Dorwaiswami had a meeting planned with the committee of the Glasgow Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib on Friday. However, some radical Sikhs blocked him from entering the gurdwara, saying he was “not welcome”.

The Indian envoy and Consul General of India (CG) decided to leave the premises as the Sikh radicals started hurling threats and abuses.

“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,” the embassy said in a statement.

“The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of the 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 statement added.

The gurdwara committee and local community leaders have since expressed their regret over the incident and have called on the authorities to take action against the culprits.

In a statement, the Glasgow Gurdwara committee said, “Certain unknown individuals from outside the Glasgow area attempted to disrupt this visit, following which the visiting party decided to leave the premises. After the departure of the visitors, these unruly individuals continued to disturb the Gurdwara congregation.”

What the UK Govt said

Responding to the incident, UK foreign minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said she was “concerned”.

“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 said on X, formerly Twitter.

Police Scotland confirmed it had been alerted to reports of a disturbance at the gurdwara at lunchtime on Friday, according to UK media.

“There were no reports of any injuries and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances,” a spokesperson said in a reported statement.

Indian Mission Under Attack

Earlier this year, the Indian mission in the UK was attacked by pro-Khalistani groups along with consulates in Canada and the US.

In March, the national flag at the Indian High Commission in London was pulled down during a protest by pro-Khalistan protestors.

The videos showed one of the protesters clambering on to a balcony and pulling down the Indian flag from a pole at the front of the high commission.

Who is Jagtar Singh Johal?

The Sikhs in the UK have recently campaigned over the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist from Scotland. Over 70 British MPs had written to UK PM Rishi Sunak to raise the issue during the G20 summit.

30-year-old Johal is a UK-based activist currently in Delhi’s Tihar jail for his alleged association with Pakistan’s ISI and banned separatist group Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).

Johal has ten cases registered against him under the Arms Act and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and of murder and attempt to murder.

The cases are under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Punjab police and Delhi Police. He has been in jail since 2017.

According to reports, Johal was part of a global conspiracy to revive terrorism in Punjab and “drive a communal wedge in the border State by targeting leaders and members of minority communities in the State”.