External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ministry has raised reports of seizure of copies of the Guru Granth Sahib with Qatar. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement.
India on Friday (August 23, 2024) said it has raised reports of seizure of copies of the Guru Granth Sahib with Qatar and the matter is being treated on high priority.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen reports regarding seizure of Guru Granth Sahib by Qatari authorities and the demand by the Sikh community for its release.”
He said the government has already taken up the matter with Qatar and the Indian Embassy in Doha has apprised the Sikh community in the Qatari capital of the developments.
“It is important to note that the two formatsJaiswal said, “Qatar authorities seized the Guru Granth Sahib from two groups that were accused of running religious establishments without the approval of the Qatar government.”
“Our embassy provided all possible assistance within the ambit of local laws and regulations,” he said.
The spokesperson was responding to media queries on the issue.
Mr Jaiswal said, “Qatar authorities have returned one version of the holy book and have assured that the other version will also be kept with respect.”
He said, “We are pursuing this matter with the Qatar authorities on a high priority basis and hope for an early resolution.”