Over 100-Year-Old Hindu Temple Razed in Pakistan to Make Way for Madrassa
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100-Year-Old Hindu Temple Razed in Pakistan
Delhi : An over century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province has reportedly been demolished to make way for an adjacent madrassa, drawing criticism from minority groups.
The 100–125 year old temple, spread over nearly 1,000 square metres, was located in Siraj village of Narowal, around 130 km from Lahore.
Local residents, minority organisations and a political party said that religious zealots demolished the temple on August 21 with the intention of adding its land to the nearby seminary. They claimed that the people involved were associated with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a banned far-right Islamic party.
However, the Pakistan government has claimed that the old temple collapsed due to torrential rains.
Aslam Parvez Sahotra, Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) chairman, told PTI that following the demolition, he met the additional home secretary of Punjab on Friday (August 28) and submitted a written application seeking action on the matter.
Sahotra also alleged that after the demolition, the temple’s shikhar metal fittings and bricks were removed from the site.
The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) has urged the Punjab government to take action against those involved in the demolition of the temple and ensure its reconstruction.
The incident has raised fresh questions over the protection of Pakistan’s Hindu heritage and minority places of worship, with the PMMP demanding that the temple be rebuilt and those responsible for its destruction be held accountable.
(With PTI inputs)