NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India has condemned the reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province and urged authorities to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
The temple, located in Siraj village in Narowal district, was reportedly destroyed Aug. 21. The incident has raised concerns among minority rights groups over the protection of Hindu places of worship in Pakistan.
India’s External Affairs Ministry said it viewed the reported destruction with deep concern. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the incident an unacceptable act against a historic minority religious site.
“The apparent apathy of Pakistani authorities and the failure to protect the temple is alarming,” Jaiswal said.
India called on Pakistan to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation, restore the damaged temple and ensure the safety of minority communities and their religious sites.
The circumstances surrounding the temple’s destruction remain disputed.
The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party, a minority rights group, alleged that the temple was deliberately demolished to make way for the expansion of a nearby seminary. The group also claimed that bricks, metal fittings and other materials were removed from the site and said the temple was more than 125 years old.
The group has called on Pakistani authorities to investigate the incident and take action against those responsible.
However, Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board said heavy rainfall caused the structure to collapse.
The conflicting accounts have prompted calls for an official investigation to determine whether the temple was deliberately demolished or collapsed because of weather conditions.
The incident has also renewed broader concerns over the protection of minority religious sites in Pakistan. Hindu, Christian, Sikh and other minority groups have previously raised concerns about damage to places of worship and inadequate government protection.
India said Pakistan has a responsibility to protect minority communities and preserve their cultural and religious heritage.
