Qatar returns two confiscated Guru Granth Sahib to India

The copies have been returned to the Indian Embassy in Doha.

" 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," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

"We also appeal to all Indian citizens residing in Qatar or other countries to scrupulously follow local laws and regulations in all matters," the statement said.

The incident occurred in 2023 when Qatari authorities had confiscated two swaroops of the holy book of the Sikhs from two individuals accused of operating a religious establishment without their approval, media reports said.

Harjinder Singh Dhami, president, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), earlier urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Indian Ambassador in Qatar to intervene and ensure release of the swaroops.

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal wrote a letter to the minister last week regarding the same, reported The Indian Express.