Historic Sikh Shrine Razed in Pakistan: India Demands Swift Action, Raises Alarm Over Minority Persecution.

‘Targeted Act’: India Condemns Demolition of 125-Year-Old Gurdwara in Pakistan, Demands Immediate Reconstruction.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | July 1, 2026 India on Wednesday strongly condemned the reported demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Pakistan’s Farooqabad, describing it as a “highly deplorable” and “targeted act of vandalism.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the incident reflects a continuing pattern of attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan.

According to reports, the historic Sikh shrine was demolished by miscreants during the intervening night of June 24 and 25.

India Strongly Condemns the Incident

In an official statement, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep concern over the destruction of the historic gurdwara.

“We have seen the deeply distressing reports regarding the demolition of the historic 125-year-old sacred Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan. We strongly condemn this highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism against a revered Sikh shrine,” Jaiswal said.

The MEA stated that the incident raises serious concerns about the protection of religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan.

MEA Calls the Attack ‘Highly Deplorable’

The spokesperson further said that the reported failure of local authorities and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to take meaningful action has aggravated the situation.

“Its destruction, along with reports of no meaningful action being taken by local authorities or the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), is a matter of grave concern,” the statement said.

Jaiswal added that the demolition was not an isolated incident but part of a broader and recurring pattern.

“This is unfortunately not an isolated incident, as we have also seen similar reports earlier. The systemic targeting of religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan continues unabated,” he said.

India Demands Reconstruction of the Gurdwara

The MEA urged the Government of Pakistan to conduct a swift investigation, prosecute those responsible, and immediately restore the demolished portions of the historic shrine.

“We call upon the Government of Pakistan to expeditiously investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice. The demolished portions of the Gurdwara Sahib should be restored and reconstructed at the earliest. Further, we urge the Government of Pakistan to discharge its obligations to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of its minority communities and their places of worship and put a decisive end to the prevailing environment of sectarian violence and religious intolerance in Pakistan,” the statement added.

The MEA’s response has been welcomed by many, including several Sikh organisations, which praised the Government of India for strongly raising the issue through diplomatic channels.

Concerns Over Attacks on Hindu Temples

At the same time, some observers have argued that the Government of India should adopt a similarly proactive diplomatic approach regarding repeated incidents involving Hindu temples and shrines in Pakistan.

Over the years, the destruction or vandalism of Hindu places of worship in Pakistan has been linked to mob violence, communal unrest, illegal property disputes, and incidents triggered by blasphemy allegations or periods of heightened geopolitical tension. Such incidents have primarily been reported from the provinces of Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Some of the notable incidents include:

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2020): A mob of more than 1,500 people allegedly incited by local religious leaders attacked and set fire to the historic Samadhi of Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj and the adjacent Krishna Dwara temple in Karak District following a dispute over renovation and expansion of the shrine.
• Punjab (2021): A violent mob vandalized and set fire to a Hindu temple in Bhong, Rahim Yar Khan District, damaging its main entrance and idols after a court granted bail to an eight-year-old Hindu boy accused of blasphemy.
• Sindh (2023 & 2025): Sindh, home to the majority of Pakistan’s Hindu population, has witnessed repeated reports of attacks on Hindu places of worship. Community leaders have also alleged that influential landowners demolished ancient temples in areas including Hyderabad, triggering protests by members of the Hindu community.
• Historical Context: Following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in India in December 1992, widespread communal violence reportedly resulted in the destruction of an estimated 120 Hindu temples across Pakistan within a week.

Calls for a Comprehensive Diplomatic Dossier

Some analysts and community representatives believe that the MEA could prepare a comprehensive dossier documenting attacks on Hindu temples and shrines in Pakistan over the past five to ten years. They argue that such documentation could be used in bilateral and international diplomatic forums to seek accountability, encourage the restoration and reconstruction of damaged religious sites, and press for stronger safeguards for Pakistan’s Hindu minority.

They further contend that India’s diplomatic engagement on issues concerning religious minorities should extend equally to both Sikh and Hindu places of worship, consistent with the constitutional principle of equality and the country’s commitment to protecting the interests of all communities with civilizational and cultural ties to India.
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_Agency Inputs.