India's envoy to U.S. Sandhu visits Gurudwara in New York, Khalistan supporters heckle him

U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu during the farewell reception for Consul General Randhir Jaiswal organised by the Indian community and U.S. friends of India in Long Island.

A group of Khalistani supporters tried to heckle India’s Ambassador to the U.S., Taranjit Singh Sandhu, at a gurdwara in Long Island in New York on Sunday, but they were escorted out by members of the Sikh community.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Sandhu said he was privileged to join the local Sangat, including from Afghanistan, at Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island in celebrating Gurpurab. He said he listened to Kirtan, spoke about Guru Nanak’s everlasting message of togetherness, unity, and equality, partook langar, and sought blessings for all.

After Mr. Sandhu arrived at the Hicksville Gurdwara, a few nuisance makers tried to heckle him but were escorted out by members of the Sikh community, sources said.

They shouted questions about Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Canada in June, show videos being circulated after the incident.

In his remarks at the gurdwara, Mr. Sandhu assured members of the Sikh community that Indian diplomats in the U.S. would provide all help and support to them.

Mr. Sandhu, accompanied by Consul-General in New York Randhir Jaiswal and Deputy Consul-General Varun Jeph, highlighted growth in the India-U.S. partnership in the healthcare, energy, information technology, emerging technologies, semiconductor and the education sectors.

On the occasion, the gurdwara members and officials honoured and felicitated the Indian Ambassador.

Historical linkages

Mr. Sandhu spoke about the historical linkages between Sikh Gurus, Sikhs and Afghanistan. He noted that Afghan Sikhs had shown how to face adversities.

He mentioned that three Saroops of the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib were brought from Kabul to Delhi in August in the year 2021 after the Taliban took over the war-torn country.

Earlier, in a separate tweet, Mr. Sandhu spoke of Guru Nanak Devji’s timeless message of equality and universal oneness in the well-known Shabad of Guru Ravidass as he paid his respects at the Sri Guru Ravidass Temple in New York on November 25.