New Delhi: India has strongly condemned the reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Narowal region, calling the incident a serious attack on a minority place of worship and urging Islamabad to take immediate corrective action.
The reported destruction of the historic temple in Siraj village has triggered concern in New Delhi over the protection of religious minorities and their cultural heritage in Pakistan.
India said the reported incident reflects the continuing vulnerability of minority communities in the neighbouring country and raises serious questions about the protection of their religious freedoms and places of worship.
The government described the apparent failure of local authorities to protect the historic temple as particularly alarming, given its significance as a long-standing place of worship for the Hindu minority.
New Delhi has called on Pakistan to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation into the demolition and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.
India has also demanded concrete remedial measures to restore the desecrated temple and safeguard its cultural and religious significance.
The government stressed that Pakistan has a fundamental responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its minority citizens while protecting their religious institutions and cultural heritage.
The incident has once again brought attention to concerns surrounding the condition of minority places of worship in Pakistan, where Hindu, Sikh and other minority communities have repeatedly raised issues related to the protection of religious sites and freedoms.
India said incidents involving the destruction or desecration of minority religious sites should not be viewed in isolation, arguing that they point to wider concerns over the security and rights of minority communities.
New Delhi’s response comes amid continued tensions between India and Pakistan, with issues concerning the treatment of minorities and protection of religious heritage remaining a recurring point of diplomatic concern.
India has urged Pakistan to move beyond assurances and take visible steps to protect minority communities, preserve their places of worship and ensure that those responsible for attacks on religious heritage face appropriate legal consequences.
