The Sikh community around the world is reeling from an incident that has caused profound distress and outrage. A copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhism, was recently seized by Qatari authorities from a Sikh gurdwara in Doha, the capital city of Qatar.
This act has ignited a firestorm of condemnation and demands for immediate redress. For Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is more than just a holy book; it is considered their living Guru, deserving the highest reverence. The seizure is seen as a blatant affront to their faith and a serious breach of religious freedom.
In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken swift and decisive action. A spokesperson for the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that the Indian government has formally expressed its concern to the Qatari authorities. The MEA has demanded the immediate return of the confiscated Guru Granth Sahib and underscored the necessity of upholding religious sentiments and freedoms.
The incident has raised critical questions about the treatment of religious minorities in Qatar and has highlighted the urgent need for more open dialogue between different religious communities. The Sikh community is calling for a peaceful resolution and hopes that the Qatari government will act promptly to correct this situation and prevent future occurrences.
On Thursday, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami appealed directly to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian ambassador to Qatar, urging them to intervene and facilitate the release of the sacred texts. “The detention of these ‘saroops’ at a police station is a disrespect that cannot be tolerated,” Dhami stated. “This issue was recently brought to the attention of the Akal Takht Jathedar by Bhai Kanhaiya Humanitarian Aid, prompting us to seek urgent intervention.”
The situation stems from a December arrest of a Sikh individual by Doha police. Though the man was later released, the two copies of the Guru Granth Sahib he was found with remain in custody at Al Wakara police station. The Sikh man had been practicing his faith privately at a gurdwara established in his home due to Qatar’s stringent restrictions on non-Islamic public worship.
The SGPC is calling for the return and proper reinstatement of these sacred texts, emphasizing that the treatment of religious artifacts with such disregard is unacceptable. The Sikh community hopes that the Qatari government will act swiftly to resolve this matter and ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.
The episode underscores the broader issue of safeguarding religious freedoms and respecting all faiths. It serves as a call to action for governments and international bodies to ensure that religious practices are protected and respected worldwide.
