Stopping envoy from entering gurdwara disheartening: Sirsa

AMRITSAR: The BJP on Saturday censured the act of preventing Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian high commissioner to the UK, from entering Gurdwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Scotland and appealed to the Sikhs involved in the incident to desist from engaging in actions that tarnish the community's reputation globally even as the pro-Khalistan Sikhs in the UK have initiated a movement seeking security and safety from the UK government.
"It is profoundly disheartening to see that a few individuals from the community are engaging in activities that tarnish our community's reputation," said Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the BJP national secretary. Vehemently condemning the incident, he said: "Gurdwaras traditionally have four doors that symbolise individuals from any religion, caste, or background can enter without any hindrance."
Notably, a handful of pro-Khalistani elements in the UK had blocked Doraiswami from entering the gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Indian envoy was invited by the gurdwara management for a meeting to address their issues. However, as Doraiswami reached the gurdwara, a group of pro-Khalistan Sikhs turned up and told him that he was not welcome, following which he returned.
Intelligence sources here said the pro-Khalistan Sikhs in the UK were feeling insecure after the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in Surrey, Canada.
"This incident has strained relations between India and Canada, leading to tit-for-tat diplomatic actions. Pro-Khalistan activists in the UK are not only campaigning to pressurise the UK government for their security, but also supporting Canada's unconfirmed allegations of Indian agents being involved in Nijjar's killing," said a source.