‘Reprehensible act of vandalism’: India condemns demolition of century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan, seek - The Times of India
India has condemned the demolition of a 100‑year‑old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province as “reprehensible,” demanding a transparent investigation and possible reconstruction, while Pakistani officials have pledged an inquiry but have yet to provide details. The incident raises concerns about the protection of minority heritage sites and could add tension to Indo‑Pak relations.
AI Objective Summary
India has condemned the demolition of a 100‑year‑old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province as “reprehensible,” demanding a transparent investigation and possible reconstruction, while Pakistani officials have pledged an inquiry but have yet to provide details. The incident raises concerns about the protection of minority heritage sites and could add tension to Indo‑Pak relations.
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**India Condemns Demolition of 100‑Year‑Old Hindu Temple in Pakistan’s Punjab Province**
*Lahore, Pakistan* – A Hindu temple dating back more than a century was razed in the early hours of Monday in the village of **Khokhar Kalan**, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province, according to reports from the Press Trust of India and local newspapers *Daily Excelsior* and *The Tribune*. The structure, which had been a place of worship for the region’s small Hindu community and a modest tourist attraction, was reportedly demolished using heavy machinery without prior notice. No injuries were reported, but the demolition has ignited outrage among heritage activists and the Indian government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly labeled the incident a “reprehensible act of vandalism.” In a formal statement released on Tuesday, the ministry demanded an immediate, transparent investigation by Pakistani authorities and called for the reconstruction of the temple or appropriate compensation for the affected community. The statement also urged Pakistan to uphold its commitments under the *UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property* and to ensure that religious minorities are protected from such acts of cultural erasure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, while not issuing a separate communique, reiterated that India will monitor the situation closely and engage diplomatically to safeguard the rights of Hindus in Pakistan.
Pakistani officials have offered a mixed response. The Punjab provincial administration announced that a preliminary inquiry would be launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the demolition, emphasizing that any illegal activity would be prosecuted under the country’s heritage preservation laws. However, local authorities in Khokhar Kalan have not provided a clear timeline for the inquiry, and some residents claim the demolition was carried out by private contractors under orders to clear land for a road expansion project. Heritage experts warn that the loss of the temple underscores a broader pattern of neglect for minority religious sites, a concern that could strain already delicate Indo‑Pak diplomatic ties if not addressed promptly.
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