A controversy has arisen over a more than 100 years old Hindu temple in Siraj village of Narowal district of Punjab province of Pakistan. India has reacted strongly to the news of alleged demolition of the temple. Condemning this incident, the Foreign Ministry has demanded an immediate and transparent investigation from the Pakistan government.
India has clearly said that if the temple has been intentionally damaged then the accountability of those responsible for it should be fixed. Besides, the Pakistan government has also been asked to take necessary steps to restore the damaged religious place as soon as possible.
What did the Foreign Ministry say?
- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while answering media questions on Wednesday, expressed India’s concern about the historical Hindu temple located in Siraj village, he said that India has taken seriously the reports of damage to the temple.
- Jaiswal called it a condemnable action against a century-old place of worship of the minority community and said that there is concern about the safety of places of worship of religious minorities in Pakistan.
- India has appealed to the Pakistan government to conduct an immediate and transparent investigation into this entire matter.
- According to the Ministry of External Affairs, through investigation it should be clear how the temple was damaged and who is responsible for it.
- India has also said that if investigation confirms deliberate demolition or vandalism of the temple, then action should be taken against those responsible. Along with this, a demand has been made to take immediate steps for the restoration of the temple.
- The Foreign Ministry reminded Pakistan that it is the responsibility of the government to protect all minority citizens living there and their religious and cultural sites.
- This matter is not limited to just rhetoric between India and Pakistan. In Pakistan too, different claims have come to light regarding the temple. Pakistan’s minority rights organization Pakistan Masiha Millat Party and local people allege that the temple was deliberately demolished on August 21 and an attempt was made to use the land around it for the expansion of a nearby madrassa. The organization has also raised questions on the alleged failure of the authorities in the security of the temple.
- However, Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board or ETPB has denied these allegations. According to a board official, the temple building had collapsed due to heavy rains. The official also said that according to records the temple was 100 to 125 years old.
- The Punjab government has also said that the damaged part of the temple will be restored. That is, at present there are different claims regarding the real cause of the incident and for this reason India has also stressed the need for a transparent investigation.
- The Foreign Ministry has expressed concern linking this incident to the security of minority communities in Pakistan and the condition of their religious places. India says that the Pakistan government should not only protect the minority citizens but should also protect their religious and cultural heritage.
This reaction of India has come at a time when news of damage to a more than 100 year old Hindu temple in Siraj village of Narowal has come to light. Controversy continues in Pakistan regarding the circumstances of the incident and the real reason for the damage caused to the temple.