Archive · 3 Sep 2026
India Demands Probe Into Pakistan Temple Destruction
A very old Hindu temple in Pakistan was reportedly destroyed.
It stood in Siraj village in the Narowal district.
Reports say this happened on August 21.
Pakistani officials said heavy rain made the building collapse.
A minority rights group and local residents said people intentionally tore it down instead.
They believed the land could be used to expand a nearby religious school.
India criticized Pakistan and asked for a fair investigation.
India also asked Pakistan to rebuild the temple and protect minority places of worship.
India condemned the reported destruction of a more-than-century-old Hindu temple in Siraj village, Narowal, Pakistan.
The temple was reportedly demolished on August 21 and covered approximately 1,000 square metres.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board said heavy rainfall caused the structure to collapse.
The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party and residents alleged deliberate demolition to expand an adjoining seminary and remove materials.
India demanded an investigation, accountability, restoration of the temple, and stronger protection for minority religious sites.
- Who
- India, represented by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, condemned the reported destruction; Pakistani officials, the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party, and local residents offered differing accounts.
- What
- A historic Hindu temple was reportedly destroyed or demolished, prompting Indian demands for investigation, accountability, restoration, and minority-site protection.
- When
- The temple was reportedly destroyed on August 21; India issued its condemnation on Wednesday, September 2.
- Where
- Siraj village in the Narowal district of Punjab province, Pakistan.
- Why
- The cause remains disputed: the Evacuee Trust Property Board cited heavy rainfall, while the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party and residents alleged deliberate demolition connected to an adjoining seminary.
Minority Rights and Indian Concerns
Official Weather-Related Account
Cause of destruction
Minority Rights and Indian Concerns
The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party and local residents alleged that the temple was deliberately demolished to make space for an adjoining seminary. They also alleged that bricks, dome fittings, and other materials were removed.
Official Weather-Related Account
The Evacuee Trust Property Board and provincial officials said the temple collapsed because of heavy monsoon rainfall.
Responsibility and protection
Minority Rights and Indian Concerns
India and minority-rights advocates said the authorities failed to protect a historic minority place of worship and called for an investigation, accountability, reconstruction, and stronger protection of religious sites.
Official Weather-Related Account
The reports provide Pakistan's weather-related explanation but do not describe a detailed Pakistani government response to India's demands.
Broader significance
Minority Rights and Indian Concerns
India described the incident as evidence of the vulnerability of minority communities and violations involving their religious freedoms and places of worship in Pakistan.
Official Weather-Related Account
The official account presents the incident as a rainfall-related structural collapse rather than an intentional attack on a religious site.
- Temple age
- More than 100 years old; one report described it as approximately 125 years old.
- Location
- Siraj village, Narowal district, Punjab province, Pakistan.
- Reported destruction date
- August 21.
- Approximate area
- About 1,000 square metres.
- Official explanation
- The Evacuee Trust Property Board and provincial officials said heavy monsoon rainfall caused the structure to collapse.
- Community allegation
- The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party and local residents alleged that the temple was deliberately dismantled to facilitate expansion of an adjoining seminary, with materials removed from the site.
- India's demands
- A prompt and transparent investigation, accountability, restoration of the temple, and protection of minority citizens and cultural heritage.
- Religious-site data cited
- A report presented to Pakistan's Parliamentary Committee on Minority Caucus said 37 of 1,817 Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras remained operational.
Sources
"Alarming Apathy": India Condemns Century-Old Temple's Demolition In Pakistan
‘Failure to protect this temple is alarming’: India raises concerns over Narowal temple destruction
'Religious Freedoms Violated': India Condemns Vandalism of 100-Year-Old Temple in Pakistan, Demands Restoration & Fair Probe
‘Alarming apathy’: India demands probe, restoration of century old Hindu temple destroyed in Pakistan
India condemns alleged destruction of century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan
Stark reminder of continuing vulnerability of minority communities in Pakistan: India on demolition of century-old Hindu temple
