Qatar returns 2 Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib to Indian Embassy

New Delhi, Aug 28: Qatari authorities have handed over two Saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib to the Indian Embassy in Doha. The sacred texts were previously confiscated from an Indian national accused of operating a religious establishment without proper approvals.

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), expressed gratitude to the Qatari government for returning the Saroops. “We thank the Govt of Qatar for their cooperation in this matter,” Jaiswal stated.

In his message, Jaiswal also appealed to all Indian citizens residing in Qatar and other countries to strictly adhere to local laws and regulations. “Our Embassy provided all possible assistance within the scope of local laws and regulations.”

The controversy emerged when Qatari authorities confiscated the Saroops as part of an investigation, calling it an unapproved operation of a religious establishment.

Indian officials took up the matter with the Qatari authorities. Last week, Jaiswal emphasized that the MEA had raised the issue with Qatari officials and maintained regular communication with the Sikh community in Doha.

“We have seen reports regarding the confiscation of the Guru Granth Sahib by Qatari authorities and the Sikh community’s call for their release. The government has already taken up the matter with the Qatar side, and our Embassy has kept the Sikh community in Doha informed of developments,” Jaiswal remarked earlier.

The incident had sparked concern among Sikh leaders, with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami urging External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian Ambassador to Qatar to intervene for the release of the confiscated Saroops.