Pakistani Businessman Demolishes Historic Gurdwara; India Condemns, Pakistan Pledges Restoration
A 125-year-old historic gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province was demolished by a local businessman, drawing condemnation from India and protests from the minority Sikh community. The Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, about 70 kilometres from Lahore, was reportedly razed on the night of June 24 without the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authorities, according to Pakistani officials.
India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong statement, calling the demolition a 'highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism' against a revered Sikh shrine. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged the Pakistani government to investigate and restore the damaged portions, and to ensure the safety of religious minorities. He noted that such incidents are 'not isolated' and reflect a 'systemic targeting of religious minorities' in Pakistan.
In response, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice after the Sikh community protested. On Wednesday, Punjab Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora visited the site and announced immediate restoration. He directed the Auqaf Department to conduct an inquiry into the land's ownership, noting that initial information suggests the property was not registered as Auqaf land. 'I personally inspected the site and instructed the relevant authorities to submit a fact-based report at the earliest,' Arora said, adding that restoration work would commence immediately.
Local police have registered a case against the businessman for illegal demolition, and authorities have detained him for questioning. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which manages minority religious sites, has also been asked to investigate.
The incident has renewed concerns about the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan, where Sikhs and other groups have often faced discrimination and attacks on their places of worship. However, the Punjab government's swift response and commitment to restoring the gurdwara have been seen as a positive step.
India's statement called on Pakistan to 'put a decisive end to the prevailing environment of sectarian violence and religious intolerance.' Pakistan has yet to officially respond to India's comments.
