The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Wednesday that Qatar has returned two ‘Saroops’ (copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib to the Indian Embassy in Doha. These sacred texts were earlier seized by Qatari authorities due to their connection with a religious establishment operating without the necessary approvals.

Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the MEA, expressed gratitude to the Qatari government and issued a reminder to Indian residents in Gulf countries to adhere to local laws. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, “Qatar authorities have today handed over to our Embassy in Doha Sri Guru Granth Sahib (two Saroops) taken from an Indian national in a case related to running a religious establishment without approvals. We thank the Government of Qatar for the same.”

He also appealed to all Indian citizens residing in Qatar or other countries to strictly observe local laws and regulations in all matters.

Earlier on August 23, Jaiswal had informed that the two copies of Guru Granth Sahib were confiscated by Qatari authorities from individuals or groups charged with operating a religious establishment without government approval. He assured that the Indian government had raised the issue with Qatari officials and that the Indian Embassy in Doha had kept the Sikh community informed of the developments.

Jaiswal further mentioned that the Indian Embassy provided all possible assistance within the framework of local laws and regulations.

On the same day, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal addressed a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging him to intervene in the matter. Badal also requested that the issue of allowing Sikhs in Qatar to establish Gurdwaras be taken up, enabling them to practice their religion freely.

In her message on X, Badal expressed concern, saying that the Sikh community in Qatar was distressed that the Guru Granth Sahib, regarded as the living Guru, had been made a part of a legal case. She urged Jaishankar to act swiftly to resolve the situation and to advocate for the religious rights of Sikhs in Qatar.