New Delhi: India on Wednesday criticised Pakistan over the reported demolition of a Hindu temple believed to be more than a century old in Punjab province, describing the incident as a serious failure to protect a minority religious site.
The temple stood in Siraj village of Narowal district, around 130 km from Lahore. Reports said the structure was brought down on August 21. Pakistani officials, however, have maintained that it collapsed after torrential rains.
Responding to questions from the media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had taken note of the reports with “deep concern”.
“We have noted with deep concern the disturbing reports of the destruction of a historic Hindu temple in village Siraj, Narowal, Pakistan. We unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act of vandalism against a century-old minority place of worship,” Jaiswal said.
Jaiswal also questioned why the authorities had apparently failed to protect the historic site.
“The apparent apathy of authorities and failure to protect this century-old temple is alarming,” he said.
India urged the Pakistani government to order a prompt and transparent inquiry, establish responsibility and take action against those involved. New Delhi also called for immediate measures to restore the “desecrated” temple and asked Islamabad to protect the safety and welfare of minority communities, as well as their religious and cultural heritage, as reported by India Today.
Dispute Over Madrassa Link
The demolition has triggered competing claims about what happened to the temple and the land surrounding it.
According to PTI, the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party, Hindu representatives and local residents have alleged that the structure was intentionally destroyed to facilitate the use of the site in connection with an adjoining madrassa.
Pakistan Masiha Millat Party chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra said he met Punjab Additional Home Secretary on August 28 and filed a complaint seeking action. He alleged that members of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan were involved in demolishing the temple.
Sahotra also claimed that bricks, metal fittings from the shikhar and other materials were removed afterwards. He said the adjoining land, leased by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) for a madrassa, was later reclaimed after rent went unpaid and the site was not used as intended.
Authorities Cite Heavy Rain
The ETPB has rejected the allegation that the temple land was leased. Its senior official Rana Iftikhar said the building had collapsed because of torrential rain, while confirming its considerable age.
“The temple carries no name in our record books. However, it is a very old one… more than 100 to 125 years old,” he said.
Iftikhar said the adjoining plot had been leased for a seminary but insisted that the temple property itself had not been leased.
“The temple’s land is not given to anyone for lease,” he said, adding that senior ETPB officials would decide whether the historic structure should be restored.
Sahotra alleged that the temple’s demolition was preceded by official inaction. He said an ETPB order cancelling the adjoining madrassa’s lease and directing the eviction of illegal occupants was not implemented. He also cited a police report that had flagged security concerns and the possibility of damage to the temple, underscoring the need for a transparent investigation.
