'Alarming apathy': India lambasts Pakistan over demolition of century-old Punjab temple

A Hindu temple in Pakistan Punjab's Narowal, estimated to be over a century-old, was reportedly demolished on August 21.

Updated on: Sep 2, 2026, 21:23:19 IST

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India on Wednesday slammed neighbouring Pakistan over its ‘alarming apathy’ after reports said that a century-old Hindu temple in Siraj village of Narowal, Punjab had been demolished.

“We have noted with deep concern the disturbing reports of the destruction of a historic Hindu temple in village Siraj, Narowal, Pakistan. We unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act of vandalism against a century old minority place of worship,” ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

India called out Pakistan over its ‘apathy’ to protect the temple and said, “The apparent apathy of authorities and failure to protect this century-old temple is alarming. Such incidents are a stark reminder of the continuing vulnerability of minority communities and the egregious violations of their religious freedoms and places of worship in Pakistan.”

India also called upon the Pakistani government for a probe into the the alleged demolition of an old temple.

“We call upon the Government of Pakistan to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation into this incident and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable. Furthermore, the Government of Pakistan must take immediate remedial measures to restore the desecrated temple and fulfill its primary obligation to guarantee the safety, security and well-being of all its minority citizens and their cultural heritage,” MEA said.

What the MEA said

Temple demolition kicks up row in Pakistan

The demolition of the temple in Narowal has reportedly kicked up a row there as well after minority rights group alleged that the structure was deliberately demolished to facilitate the expansion of an adjoining seminary, Pakistani news outlet The Dawn reported. However, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has claimed that the temple collapsed due to heavy rainfall.

The temple was razed on August 21, following which the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP), an outfit that works for the minority rights, alleged that a group of people demolished the structure and removed its bricks, metal fittings from the dome and other material from the site.

The PMMP has now approached the authorities seeking action against those responsible for the demolition. The group said while the temple carries no name in record books, it is estimated to be more than 125 years old.

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