In a widely circulated video capturing the event that unfolded on Friday at Albert Drive, several individuals aligned with pro-Khalistan views approached Mr. Doraiswami’s vehicle, urging him to depart….reports Asian Lite News
The Glasgow Guru Granth Sahib Gurdwara has issued a strong condemnation of the recent incident in which Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was prevented from attending an event by individuals associated with pro-Khalistan extremism.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Gurdwara said that it “strongly condemns such disorderly behaviour to disrupt the peaceful proceedings of a Sikh place of worship”.
“The Gurdwara is open to people from all communities and backgrounds, and we welcome everyone openly as per our principles of faith,” it said.
In a viral video of the incident, which occurred at Albert Drive on Friday, a few pro-Khalistan activists approached Doraiswami’s car and asked him to leave.
The two-day personal visit facilitated by a member of Scottish Parliament, reportedly involved a series of meetings and discussions with local political leaders, diaspora representatives, business chiefs and university groups.
“Certain unknown individuals from outside the Glasgow area attempted to disrupt this visit, following which the visiting party decided to leave the premises. After the departure of the visitors, these unruly individuals continued to disturb the Gurdwara congregation,” the statement read.
It added that the police in Scotland were in attendance after the incident, and have taken cognizance of the matter.
The Indian High Commission on Saturday said that it has reported this “disgraceful incident” to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police.
The incident comes in the wake of a diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Canada-based pro-Khalistan hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“The Gurdwara encouraged other places of worship to tackle misinformation regarding vaccine hesitancy,” it added…reports Asian Lite News
In a nod to Britain’s diversity, King Charles paid obeisance at a newly-built gurdwara at Luton, a town just outside London, and mingled with the devotees. Children from across faiths were present to welcome him, holding the Union Jack and the Sikh flag of ‘Nishan Sahib’.
With photos and videos, social media posts by the royal family’s officials handles said the king also met volunteers who run the Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen Stand, “which provides vegetarian hot meals seven days a week, 365 days a year at the Gurdwara”.
He also lauded the community for their services during the Covid pandemic over the past almost three years. It ran a pop-up Covid vaccine clinic, which was one of the first of its kind in the UK, said the royal family’s Instagram post.
“The Gurdwara encouraged other places of worship to tackle misinformation regarding vaccine hesitancy,” it added.
The UK has over 5 lakh Sikhs who account for about 1 per cent of the country’s population. The UK Parliament has had several Sikh members — Labour Party’s Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi currently being among prominent MPs.
On the royal family’s Insta post today, among people who commented was one who said: “KC at his best. He is the Head of the Church of England. But he has frequently talked about being a Leader/Friend of the Faiths. I believe that his heart is well meant, contrary to other views.”
An Afghan Taliban member stands guard at the site of a blast in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2021. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua/IANS)
The Ministry of Interior have confirmed the blasts and said a group of armed insurgents entered the gurdwara in Kart-e-Parwan area, reports Asian Lite News
At least two civilians were killed and three security personnel injured after three explosions ripped through a gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday, according to multiple sources.
The Ministry of Interior have confirmed the blasts and said a group of armed insurgents entered the gurdwara in Kart-e-Parwan area.
“Before entering, the enemy attacked the guards with a grenade, which caused a fire, and two of our Hindu compatriots, who were injured in the attack, were evacuated and taken to hospital for treatment,” the Ministry said in a statement.
According to the statement, a car bomb was also detonated by the insurgents before it reached its target.
“Fortunately, they did not reach their target and detonated a car bomb before reaching the target.”
Meanwhile, a witness told Xinhua news agency: “We heard a huge blast which struck the gate of the temple at around 6 a.m. The blast was followed by two more explosions inside the temple.”
The security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures, and several warning shots were also fired, he said.
A security source told Xinhua that the two people were killed during the first blast.
Videos on social media showed smoke billowing from the two-storey gurdwara which is surrounded by blast walls.
Mediapersons and the general public were not allowed to enter the site and no one knows what exactly is ongoing inside the compound.
Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar has condemned the attack in Kabul.
“The cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all,” Jaishankar tweeted.
“We have been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community,” he added.
The cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all.
We have been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community. https://t.co/ocfuY0RBhN
Earlier in the day, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that it was closely monitoring the situation.
We are deeply concerned at the reports emanating from Kabul about an attack on a sacred gurdwara in that city,” a statement citing Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and waiting for further details on the unfolding developments.”
In March 2020, two dozen worshippers were killed when a gurdwara was attacked in downtown Kabul.
In recent months, the war-torn country has been hit by a series of terror attacks reportedly staged by the Islamic State (IS) terror group opposing the Taliban-led government.
On Friday, one person was killed and seven others were wounded after a blast hit a mosque in the northern province of Kunduz.
The CSGB President said that the one thing which had always amazed the Singapore PM is how meticulously thousands of langars are served in the gurdwara every day….reports Ateet Sharma
The Sikh community in Singapore is all praise for the local government after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended the inauguration ceremony of the newly renovated Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road, one of the most popular gurdwaras in the country.
“Delighted to attend the inauguration of Silat Road Sikh Temple today after a prolonged renovation during the pandemic. Congratulations to the Sikh community on this momentous occasion!” tweeted Lee.
As the video of Singaporean PM wearing a white turban and addressing the Sangat (assembly) later went viral on social media, Baljit Singh, President of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board (CSGB), which oversees the running of two gurdwaras in Singapore – Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road and Central Sikh Temple – besides a Sikh Centre, told IndiaNarrative.com that it was a proud and emotional moment for many, including the current PM.
His father, Lee Kuan Yew, the former PM of the country who is widely regarded as the ‘father of modern Singapore’, had inaugurated a different section of the same gurdwara, exactly 11 years ago.
“The former PM opening the memorial gurudwara 11 years ago was a pure coincidence. However, this time around, the honourable PM definitely wanted to be here with us on the occasion last week. He felt that the inauguration was a very important event as Singapore supports all religions. Very nobly, he agreed to put a turban, appreciating its importance to Sikh identity. He also paid homage to the Guru Granth Sahib and we offered him a Siropa and also gifted a Kirpan,” Singh told IndiaNarrative.com over phone from Singapore today.
The CSGB President said that the one thing which had always amazed the Singapore PM is how meticulously thousands of langars are served in the gurdwara every day.
Pic credits @leehsienloong
“Even during this Covid period, we are distributing about 1000-1500 packets during the langar on the weekdays and around 2000-2500 on the weekend. It goes to anywhere around 5000 during Gurpurab. This temple, so rich in history, has never failed to serve meals. The PM is always struck by the fact and also to find that all this work is done voluntarily by the Sangat members, Sikhs as well as non-Sikhs who have also funded the renovation work,” says Singh.
Built in 1924 and declared as a historic site by Singapore’s National Heritage Board (NHB) in 1999, Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road was the first gurdwara in Singapore to be built in traditional Sikh style architecture with domes and arches in accordance with the gurdwaras found in Punjab.
According to the Singh, initially it used to handle the needs of the Sikh Police community and also house the new Sikh arrivals in transit to other parts of Asia. The old timers recall that the gurdwara provided accommodation and looked after the welfare of widows and children of many Sikh soldiers who died fighting for British military and police forces while defending Singapore during the Japanese Occupation (1942-45).
On 12 October 1966, the memorial for Bhai Maharaj Singh, the first Sikh identified to arrive in Singapore, was relocated from the Singapore General Hospital compound to the front of Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road. It resulted in a massive increase in the congregation as people believed that an Akhand Path service performed at this gurdwara, next to the Bhai Maharaj Singh shrine, will earn the devotees great merit.
Pic credits @leehsienloong
Extensive renovation to the gurdwara was completed in October 1995 and the memorial too was expanded and officially opened by former PM Lee Kuan Yew in July 2010.
It was also the first gurdwara in Singapore to have regular Akhand Paths and langar on all days of the week. The marble Prakash Palki in the Darbar Hall is also said to be the largest of its kind in the world.
During his visit to the gurdwara last week, Singapore PM Hsien Loong appreciated the introduction of live-streaming services during the Covid-19 pandemic so that devotees can attend the congregation virtually, especially during when all places of worship in the country had to close.
“I have been even more encouraged to see the gurdwaras rally the Sikh community to pitch in and help out during this difficult period. They organised charity drives, provided rations and lent a helping hand through various assistance programmes like offering langars to anyone in need,” he said adding that it reflects the Sikh tradition of Chardi Kala, the ability to maintain a positive state of mind in the face of adversity.
Pic credits @leehsienloong
It was also the first gurdwara in Singapore to have regular Akhand Paths and langar on all days of the week. The marble Prakash Palki in the Darbar Hall is also said to be the largest of its kind in the world.
During his visit to the gurdwara last week, Singapore PM Hsien Loong appreciated the introduction of live-streaming services during the Covid-19 pandemic so that devotees can attend the congregation virtually, especially during when all places of worship in the country had to close.
“I have been even more encouraged to see the gurdwaras rally the Sikh community to pitch in and help out during this difficult period. They organised charity drives, provided rations and lent a helping hand through various assistance programmes like offering langars to anyone in need,” he said adding that it reflects the Sikh tradition of Chardi Kala, the ability to maintain a positive state of mind in the face of adversity.
(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)
