• durgesh dubey
• 28 Aug, 2024

India

Indian Ministry of External Affairs has put out a statement saying,"Qatar authorities have today handed over to our Embassy in Doha Sri Guru Granth Sahib (two Saroops) taken from an Indian national in a case related to running a religious establishment without approvals. We thank the Government of Qatar for the same.We also appeal to all Indian citizens residing in Qatar or other countries to scrupulously follow local laws and regulations in all matters."

It need be mentioned that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami had previously raised concerns about the seizure of two copies of the Guru Granth Sahib in Doha. On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that India has addressed the issue with Qatar and is working towards their respectful return. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on X: “We have been informed about the seizure of Guru Granth Sahib copies by Qatari authorities and the Sikh community's call for their release. The Indian government has taken up the issue with Qatar, and our embassy in Doha is keeping the Sikh community updated on the progress.” Jaiswal added that one copy has already been returned, and efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the second.

Earlier, SGPC President Dhami had urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian Ambassador to Qatar to intervene for the release of the two sacred copies that were confiscated by Doha police. Dhami emphasized that keeping the copies at a police station constitutes a disrespect that cannot be overlooked. The issue was recently highlighted by the Bhai Kanhaiya Humanitarian Aid to the Akal Takht Jathedar, prompting the SGPC to pursue the matter.

The Bhai Kanhaiya Humanitarian Aid reported that a Sikh individual was arrested in December last year in Doha. Although he was later released, the two copies of Guru Granth Sahib taken from him remain at the Al Wakra police station. Dhami explained that the Sikh man was practicing his faith privately at a gurdwara on his private property in Birkat Al-Awamer, adhering to Qatar's stringent restrictions on public worship of non-Islamic religions. Dhami has requested the release of the copies and their reinstallation at the gurdwara.