2 days ago
Pakistan Denies Hindu Temple Demolition, Citing Torrential Rain Damage
A very old Hindu temple in Pakistan has been badly damaged.
The temple is in Siraj village in the Narowal area of Punjab.
Some local people and minority groups say religious extremists destroyed it to use its land.
Reports also accused members of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.
Pakistan’s government says heavy rain damaged the building on July 21, 2026.
It rejects India’s accusations as false and politically motivated.
India says the incident was vandalism and wants an investigation and repairs.
Pakistan says local officials inspected the damage and started restoration work.
Pakistan says torrential rains damaged the century-old Hindu temple on July 21, 2026.
The temple is located in Siraj village in Punjab’s Narowal area.
Locals, minority groups and a political body alleged religious zealots demolished it for its land.
Reports linked members of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan to the alleged demolition.
India demanded an investigation, accountability, restoration and protection for minorities, while Pakistan rejected the claims as false and politically motivated.
- Who
- Pakistan’s Foreign Office, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, local residents, minority groups and a political body are involved in the dispute.
- What
- The dispute concerns whether a century-old Hindu temple was demolished by religious zealots or damaged by torrential rains.
- Where
- Siraj village in the Narowal area of Punjab province, Pakistan.
- When
- Pakistan says the damage occurred on July 21, 2026; India condemned the reported destruction on Wednesday, September 2.
- Why
- India sought accountability, restoration and protection for minority communities, while Pakistan attributed the damage to rain and rejected the allegations.
India, Local Residents and Minority Groups
Pakistan
Cause of the damage
India, Local Residents and Minority Groups
Local residents, minority groups and a political body alleged that religious zealots demolished the temple, reportedly to obtain its land for an adjacent seminary.
Pakistan
Pakistan said torrential rains damaged the temple on July 21, 2026, and rejected claims of deliberate demolition.
Government response
India, Local Residents and Minority Groups
India demanded a prompt investigation, full accountability and immediate restoration of what it called a desecrated temple.
Pakistan
Pakistan said local authorities had surveyed the rain damage and begun restoration efforts.
Minority protection
India, Local Residents and Minority Groups
India said the incident showed the vulnerability of minority communities and called for protection of their religious freedoms and cultural heritage.
Pakistan
Pakistan characterized India’s assertions as false and politically motivated.
Key facts
- Structure
- A century-old Hindu temple, reported to be approximately 100–125 years old
- Location
- Siraj village, Narowal area, Punjab province, Pakistan
- Reported damage date
- July 21, 2026
- Pakistan’s explanation
- Torrential rains damaged the temple’s structure
- Alleged perpetrators
- Locals, minority groups and reports alleged involvement by religious zealots, including members of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan
- India’s response
- Demanded an investigation, accountability, restoration and protection of minority religious heritage
- Restoration status
- Pakistan says local authorities surveyed the damage and initiated restoration steps
Quotes
Sajjad Haider Khan
Spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“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.”
wionews.com
“The temple’s structure was damaged on 21 July 2026 due to torrential rains. The local authorities have already surveyed the rain damage and initiated steps for the restoration of the building.”
wionews.com
Sources
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