India in touch with Qatar authorities over seized copies of Guru Granth Sahib: MEA
| 2024-08-23
Representative image.
MEA expresses hope for the early resolution of the issue
India is in touch with the Qatar government over reports of copies of the Guru Granth Sahib being seized by the local authorities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday (August 23, 2024).
Responding to media queries on the matter, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We continue to follow up the matter with Qatar authorities with high priority and hope for early resolution".
"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 stated.
He noted that two Swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib were taken by Qatar authorities from two individuals or groups who were charged for running religious establishment without approval of Government of Qatar. "Our Embassy rendered all possible assistance within the ambit of local laws and regulations," he pointed out.
According to the MEA Spokesperson, one Swaroop of the Holy Book was returned by Qatari authorities and it was assured that the other Swaroop is also kept with respect.
According to news reports, the matter had been highlighted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). Former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal was also reported to have urged the MEA to take up the issue of the release of two ‘Swaroops’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from police custody in Qatar.
Responding to media queries on the matter, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We continue to follow up the matter with Qatar authorities with high priority and hope for early resolution".
"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 stated.
He noted that two Swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib were taken by Qatar authorities from two individuals or groups who were charged for running religious establishment without approval of Government of Qatar. "Our Embassy rendered all possible assistance within the ambit of local laws and regulations," he pointed out.
According to the MEA Spokesperson, one Swaroop of the Holy Book was returned by Qatari authorities and it was assured that the other Swaroop is also kept with respect.
According to news reports, the matter had been highlighted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). Former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal was also reported to have urged the MEA to take up the issue of the release of two ‘Swaroops’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from police custody in Qatar.
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