The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday that it is in contact with the Qatari government regarding the seizure of the Guru Granth Sahib. The MEA is responding to reports that local authorities in Qatar have seized the holy book.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained, “We have seen reports regarding the Guru Granth Sahib seized by the Qatari authorities and the demand of their release by the Sikh community. Government has already taken up the matter with the Qatar side and our Embassy has kept the Sikh community in Doha abreast of developments in this regard.”
Jaiswal noted that two swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib were taken by Qatari authorities from individuals or groups charged with running a religious establishment without official approval. “Our Embassy rendered all possible assistance within the ambit of local laws and regulations,” he added.
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Further, the MEA statement revealed that one swaroop of the holy book has been returned. Qatar authorities assured that the remaining swaroop is being kept with respect. “We continue to follow up the matter with Qatar authorities with high priority and hope for early resolution,” Jaiswal said.
Meanwhile, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing and current MP from Bathinda, has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. She requested urgent intervention to secure the release of the two swaroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from police custody in Qatar. Badal expressed that the Sikh community in Qatar is deeply shocked and distressed by the situation. She also urged Jaishankar to address the issue of allowing Sikhs in Qatar to establish their own Gurdwaras for practicing their religion freely.
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