Indian envoy to UK denied entry to Glasgow gurudwara amidst India-Canada row

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Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, was on Friday prevented from entering a Gurudwara in Glasgow, Scotland. A purported video shared on the Instagram channel of "Sikh Youth UK" depicted a man, reportedly a pro-Khalistani activist, blocking Doraiswami from entering the Glasgow Gurudwara on Albert Drive.

This incident unfolds amid a diplomatic tussle between India and Canada concerning the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In the video, the activist is heard saying, "They are hurting Sikhs in Canada and other places; every Sikh should protest against any Indian Ambassador like we did here in Glasgow." "Sikh Youth UK" claims that there is a prevailing ban on Indian officials visiting the Gurudwara in their official capacities.

The video shows two individuals near the High Commissioner's car in the parking area, with one of them attempting to open the locked car door from the inside. The video then captures the High Commissioner's car departing from the Gurudwara premises.

Another individual in the video asserts that this is how any Indian ambassador or government official visiting the Gurudwara will be treated, mentioning recent tensions between Canada and India.

Also read: Canadian police say probe into killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar 'active and ongoing'

The activist disclosed that the Indian High Commissioner was scheduled to meet with the Gurudwara committee of the Glasgow Gurudwara on Albert Drive. However, he was met with resistance and eventually left. The activist added that Indian officials are generally unwelcome in UK Gurudwaras.

This incident comes amidst a growing strain in India-Canada relations following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations regarding the Indian government's involvement in Nijjar's killing, which India has firmly denied.

India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has highlighted threats, violence, and intimidation against Indian diplomats and missions in Canada and questioned the international community's response to such incidents. He emphasized that the situation in Ottawa should not be normalized.

The UK has stated that it is in "close touch" with its Canadian counterparts regarding the serious allegations made by Prime Minister Trudeau about India's alleged involvement in the Nijjar assassination.

Moreover, the United Kingdom's Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, recently announced additional funding to bolster the UK's capabilities in countering pro-Khalistan extremism. This investment aims to enhance the government's understanding of the threat posed by pro-Khalistan extremism and complements ongoing collaborative efforts between the UK and India through the Joint-Extremism Task Force. (With inputs from ANI)