27 august 2024 : BJP leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal has addressed a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting prompt diplomatic action to retrieve two ‘Swaroops’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which have been held by Qatari authorities for the past eight months.
In his correspondence, Grewal conveyed the distress felt by the Sikh community in Qatar, where the sacred texts were confiscated and treated as mere property. Despite the efforts made by the Sikh ‘Sangat’ in Qatar, there has been no advancement regarding the release of the scriptures, leading him to seek the government’s intervention for immediate assistance.
“The Sikh community is in a state of shock and distress,” he stated. Grewal urged Jaishankar to communicate with the Qatari government to expedite the release of the ‘Swaroops’ and to promote the establishment of gurdwaras in the region.
Additionally, Grewal called on the minister to ensure that the Indian Embassy actively engages with local authorities to guarantee that Sikhs can freely practice their faith. He noted that this issue has raised significant concern among Sikh leaders and organizations worldwide, with many urging the Indian Government to take decisive measures to uphold the sanctity of Sikh scriptures.