India condemns demolition of historic Hindu temple in Pakistan, demands probe

New Delhi has strongly condemned the reported demolition of a historic Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province and called for a prompt, transparent investigation into the incident. The temple, located in Siraj village in Narowal district, around 130 km from Lahore, is said to have been more than a century old.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries on Wednesday, said India had noted 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," he said.

The temple was reportedly demolished on August 21. Minority groups and local Hindu community leaders alleged that religious zealots targeted the site in order to absorb the land into an adjacent madrassa. However, Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the government body that manages minority religious sites, maintained that the structure had collapsed due to torrential rains. ETPB senior official Rana Iftikhar acknowledged the temple's historical significance, saying it was "more than 100 to 125 years old", while insisting that the land had not been leased to anyone.

India said the apparent apathy of Pakistani authorities in protecting the temple was alarming. "Such incidents are a stark reminder of the continuing vulnerability of minority communities and the egregious violations of their religious freedoms and places of worship in Pakistan," Jaiswal said. He called on the Government of Pakistan to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation and to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.

Furthermore, India demanded immediate remedial measures to restore the desecrated temple. "The Government of Pakistan must take immediate remedial measures to restore the desecrated temple and fulfill its primary obligation to guarantee the safety, security and well-being of all its minority citizens and their cultural heritage," Jaiswal added.

The demolition has triggered demands from minority groups and Hindu community leaders in Pakistan for an investigation and restoration of the temple. The incident also adds to longstanding concerns about the safety of religious minorities and their places of worship in the country. Over the years, there have been multiple reports of attacks on Hindu temples and forced conversions in Pakistan, with minority communities often alleging apathy from law-enforcement agencies.

Analysts note that the fate of such heritage sites is a sensitive matter in India-Pakistan relations, given the deep religious and cultural ties across the border. India has repeatedly raised the issue of protecting minority rights in Pakistan in bilateral and international forums. This statement from the MEA is in line with that position, and it also serves as a reminder of the precarious condition of minority heritage in the region.

While the ETPB has dismissed claims that the temple was deliberately destroyed, no independent verification of either version has been possible. The Pakistani authorities have yet to release an official finding on the cause of the damage. The lack of a clear response so far has only heightened concern among those who see the incident as an attack on the religious diversity of South Asia.

The loss of such an old temple, regardless of the cause, is an irreparable cultural setback for the region. Both countries share a common heritage, and the preservation of minority sites is not just a legal obligation but a moral one. India's strong position underscores the need for Pakistan to take credible steps to protect its minority citizens and their heritage, not only to meet international standards but also to maintain communal harmony at home.

As the matter awaits further investigation, minority groups in Narowal have expressed fear that the incident may set a dangerous precedent, encouraging further encroachments on religious sites. They have urged the government to take a firm stand and reconstruct the temple, as well as to address the root causes of such vandalism. The world will be watching how Islamabad responds to this contention.