India Condemns Pakistan Temple Demolition; RBD Protests in Jammu.

‘Reprehensible Act of Vandalism’: India Condemns Demolition of Century-Old Hindu Temple in Pakistan, Seeks Probe. RBD Protests in Jammu. 

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | Sept 2, 2026:: India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over reports of the destruction of a historic Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province and called upon the Pakistani government to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation into the incident.

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India “unequivocally” condemned the reported vandalism of the century-old place of worship in Siraj village in Narowal district.

“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,” Jaiswal said.

India Flags Authorities’ ‘Apathy’

The MEA said the apparent failure of Pakistani authorities to protect the temple was alarming and raised serious concerns over the safety of minority communities and the protection of their religious freedoms and places of worship.

“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,” Jaiswal said.

India called upon Pakistan to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“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,” the MEA spokesperson said.

India also urged Pakistan to take immediate steps to restore the temple and ensure the safety and security of minority communities and their cultural heritage.

“Furthermore, the Government of Pakistan must take immediate remedial measures to restore the desecrated temple and fulfil its primary obligation to guarantee the safety, security and well-being of all its minority citizens and their cultural heritage,” Jaiswal added.

Temple’s Destruction Triggers Calls for Restoration

The more than 100-year-old temple in Siraj village, located around 130 kilometres from Lahore, was reportedly demolished on August 21.

Minority groups alleged that religious extremists had targeted the site with the intention of absorbing its land into an adjoining madrassa. However, Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) maintained that the structure had collapsed following torrential rains.

ETPB senior official Rana Iftikhar acknowledged the historical significance of the temple, describing it as “more than 100 to 125 years old”. He maintained, however, that the land on which the temple stood had not been leased to anyone.

The reported destruction prompted minority groups and local Hindu community leaders to demand an investigation and restoration of the temple.

Rashtriya Bajrang Dal Stages Protest

The Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD) staged protests on Tuesday following the demolition of the century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan.

Protesters took to the streets and burned an effigy. Images from the demonstration showed Pakistani flags and photographs of Hafiz Saeed and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

According to Dawn, the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP), an organisation working for the rights of minorities, alleged that a group of people demolished the structure and removed bricks, metal fittings from the dome and other materials from the site.

PMMP Chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra said that he and several local residents met Punjab’s Additional Home Secretary on August 28 and submitted a written application seeking action against those responsible for the demolition, as well as against officials accused of failing to protect the religious site.

According to Sahotra, the land adjoining the temple had previously been leased by the ETPB to a seminary. The lease was subsequently cancelled after rent remained unpaid for several years and the premises were not used for the purpose for which they had been leased.

Sahotra further alleged that portions of the property were later occupied illegally.

Citing a revenue department report, Dawn reported that Sahotra said several individuals had been identified as illegal occupants of the temple’s quarters and other parts of the property.

He also referred to an order issued by the ETPB deputy administrator in Sialkot in January this year, cancelling the seminary’s lease and directing the eviction of illegal occupants and the sealing of the property.

“The order was never implemented,” Sahotra said.

The PMMP has demanded that the temple be reconstructed in its original form. It has also urged the Punjab government to strengthen the protection of Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras and Christian churches, along with their associated properties.

ETPB Disputes Demolition Claim

ETPB official Rana Iftikhar, however, rejected the claim that the temple in Siraj village had been deliberately demolished.

Speaking to Dawn, he maintained that the structure had collapsed following torrential rains.

“The temple carries no name in our record books. However, it is very old—more than 100 to 125 years old,” he said.

Rana acknowledged that the land adjoining the temple had been leased to a seminary but clarified that the land belonging to the temple itself had not been leased to anyone.

He said the ETPB would take a decision regarding the restoration of the temple.

Renewed Concerns Over Minority Rights

The controversy has once again drawn attention to the condition of religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan.

India’s strong reaction, coupled with demands from Pakistani minority organisations for an investigation and restoration, has put the spotlight on the protection of historic religious sites belonging to Hindu, Sikh and Christian communities.

The incident comes amid continued scrutiny of Pakistan over allegations of violations of religious freedoms and concerns regarding the safety and security of minority communities and their cultural heritage.

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_Agency Inputs.