India Strongly Condemns Vandalism, Destruction of Hindu Temple in Pakistan

NEW DELHI, Sep 2: India on Wednesday strongly condemned the reported destruction of a historic Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Narowal region and called on Islamabad to investigate the incident swiftly and ensure accountability.

The External Affairs Ministry said the reported demolition of the century old temple in Siraj village was deeply concerning and represented a serious attack on a minority place of worship.

“We unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act of vandalism against a century-old minority place of worship,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while responding to media queries.

Jaiswal also expressed concern over the alleged failure of local authorities to protect the historic site, describing the apparent lack of action as alarming.

India said the incident highlights the vulnerability faced by minority communities in Pakistan and raised concerns over the protection of their religious freedoms and places of worship.

India seeks transparent investigation

New Delhi called on the Pakistani government to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that everyone responsible is held fully accountable.

India also urged Islamabad to undertake immediate measures to restore the damaged temple and protect the religious and cultural heritage associated with minority communities.

The MEA stressed that Pakistan has a fundamental responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its minority citizens and safeguard their cultural heritage.

The incident has once again drawn attention to concerns surrounding the protection of minority religious sites in Pakistan, with India urging its neighbour to take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents and uphold the rights of minority communities.