Alarming failure: India slams Pakistan over demolition of century-old Hindu temple

The Hindu temple in Siraj village of Narowal, about 130 kilometres from Lahore, was reportedly demolished on August 21. While minority representatives and local residents have alleged that the structure was deliberately brought down to facilitate the use of its land for a madrassa, Pakistani authorities have said the structure collapsed following torrential rains.The temple in Siraj village, Narowal, about 130 kilometres from Lahore, was reportedly demolished on August 21. (Photo: PTI)India has strongly condemned the reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province, which minority representatives and local residents allege was razed to make way for a madrassa on or near the temple land, calling it a disturbing attack on a minority place of worship and a sign of the authorities' "alarming" failure to protect religious heritage.The temple in Siraj village, Narowal, about 130 kilometres from Lahore, was reportedly demolished on August 21. Pakistani authorities have said that the more than century-old structure collapsed following torrential rains.Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had taken note of the reports with "deep concern" and condemned the destruction."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. India also questioned the apparent failure of Pakistani authorities to safeguard the site."The apparent apathy of authorities and failure to protect this century-old temple is alarming," he said. The MEA spokesperson has called on the Pakistani government to launch a prompt and transparent investigation into the demolition and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable. It also urged Islamabad to take immediate steps to restore the "desecrated" temple and fulfil its fundamental duty to protect the safety, security and well-being of minority communities, along with their religious and cultural heritage.LAND GRAB FOR MADRASSA? According to news agency PTI, the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP), Hindu community representatives and local residents have alleged that religious zealots deliberately demolished the temple and that its land was subsequently targeted for use in connection with an adjoining madrassa. PMMP chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra has sought government intervention, saying he met Punjab Additional Home Secretary on August 28 and submitted a written complaint demanding action against those allegedly responsible.Sahotra alleged that members of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which is a banned far-right Islamic political party, were involved in the demolition. He further claimed that metal fittings from the temple's shikhar, bricks and other materials were removed after the structure was brought down. He also claimed that land adjoining the temple had previously been leased by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) for a madrassa, but that the lease was later cancelled after rent allegedly went unpaid and the property was not used for its intended purpose.OFFICIALS SAY TEMPLE NOT LISTED IN RECORDSThe Pakistani authorities' account is sharply different. According to the news agency, ETPB senior official Rana Iftikhar said the temple collapsed because of torrential rains. He confirmed that the structure was more than a century old."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 maintained that although the adjoining land had been leased for a seminary, the temple’s own property 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.The controversy does not end with the competing explanations for the demolition. Sahotra has alleged that authorities had already been warned about problems surrounding the site. He pointed to an ETPB order issued on January 29, 2026, which reportedly cancelled the seminary's lease rights and directed the eviction of illegal occupants and sealing of the property."This order was not implemented," Sahotra alleged. He also cited an April 11 report attributed to the DSP Narowal, claiming local police were aware of security concerns involving the temple and the possibility that it could be damaged.The Hindu minority of Pakistan has been under question concerning security threats to their religious places as well as and practicing their religion for quite some time now. The demolition of temples, their encroachments, conversions, and attacks on the members of the community have kept coming up, causing a lot of criticism by human rights activists and minority leaders, who state that the Pakistan government is unable to provide enough security to them.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 21:19 IST