Jagtar Singh Johal

Alison Thewliss Excerpts

Tuesday 27th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Martin Docherty-Hughes]

The hon. Member is, of course, correct. I will go into that in a bit more depth later in my speech.

[Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) (SNP)]

I thank my hon. Friend for giving way and for pursuing Jagtar’s case in the way that he has. He has, in solidarity with him, the support of the three gurdwaras in the Glasgow Central constituency. Does he agree that Jagtar’s case raises wider concerns for the members for each of those congregations that, when they travel to India, they may face similar threats and that there are real and genuine worries for their own safety?

[Martin Docherty-Hughes]

I could not disagree, as I often say, with my hon. Friend. The gurdwaras not only in Scotland but across the whole of the UK share that concern about the ability of the Sikh diaspora to return to India and to engage freely. It is an issue for all of us as citizens, not just for those of a certain faith with clear relation to the Punjab. It is for any UK citizen travelling abroad to consider the support that they may be given once an issue arises.