SCOTLAND: Indian-Origin MP In Scottish Parliament Recites Sikh Prayer Before Oath

SCOTLAND: Pam Gosal, Scotland’s first woman
MP of Indian-origin, recited a Sikh prayer before taking oath in Parliament on
Thursday. Ms Gosal, 49, is also one of the first two women of colour in
Scottish Parliament, the other being Kaukab Stewart.

Ms Gosal,
of the Scottish Conservatives, then took the oath in English swearing
allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. She ended her oath or affirmation by
taking blessings from the Sikh scripture, the Gutka Sahib.

The affirmation
omits any religious reference, and instead states: “I do solemnly,
sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true
allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according
to law.” She repeated the same.

“As
the first female Sikh MSP I am humbled to have been able to read the Mool
Mantar, a Sikh prayer before taking the oath as a Member of Scottish
Parliament. I am excited to begin my journey as an MSP for @ScotTories make my
community proud,” Ms Gosal tweeted.

It was
the first time a parliamentarian in the United Kingdom has read from the Sikh
scriptures inside Parliament.

“It’s
a privilege to be the first female MSP elected to the Scottish Parliament from
an Indian background. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me. Can’t wait to
get to work for the people of the West of Scotland,” Ms Gosal said in a
tweet on May 9.

The Sikh
parliamentarian was born in Glasgow and lived in Scotland most of her life. Ms
Gosal entered politics when she contested the 2019 general election for the
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party as a candidate for East
Dunbartonshire. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree.

Ms Gosal
is also the director of Conservative Friends of India Scotland (CFIS) – an
organisation that  seeks to build stronger links between the Conservative
Party and the British Indian community in Scotland.

Last week’s
election saw the Scottish National Party win a landslide victory.