100-year-old Hindu temple demolished in Pakistan’s Punjab
A century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province was demolished, sparking allegations of religious targeting by extremist groups. While local authorities claim the collapse was due to heavy rains, minority groups are demanding an investigation into the destruction and the illegal occupation of the site.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding the protection of minority religious heritage sites and the influence of extremist factions in Pakistan.
A more than 100-year-old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province was demolished on August 21 in Siraj village of Narowal, around 130 km from Lahore, with minority groups alleging that religious zealots targeted the site to absorb its land into an adjacent madrassa. The government, however, has maintained that the temple collapsed because of torrential rains.The demolition has triggered demands for an investigation and restoration of the temple, with the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) accusing local authorities and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of failing to protect the centuries-old Hindu place of worship.PMMP chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra said he met Punjab Additional Home Secretary on August 28 and submitted a written application seeking action against those allegedly responsible for the demolition, as well as officials accused of failing to protect the property.Sahotra alleged that the people involved in the demolition were associated with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a…
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