NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over stories of the destruction of a historic Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province and referred to as on the Pakistani authorities to conduct a immediate and clear investigation into the incident.Responding to media queries, ministry of exterior affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned India “unequivocally” condemned the reported vandalism of the century-old place of worship in Siraj village in Narowal.“We’ve famous with deep concern the disturbing stories of the destruction of a historic Hindu temple in village Siraj, Narowal, Pakistan. We unequivocally condemn this reprehensible act of vandalism in opposition to a century previous minority place of worship,” Jaiswal mentioned.
India flags authorities’ ‘apathy’
The MEA mentioned the obvious failure of authorities to guard the temple was alarming and raised considerations over the security and non secular freedoms of minority communities in Pakistan.“The obvious apathy of authorities and failure to guard this century-old temple is alarming. Such incidents are a stark reminder of the persevering with vulnerability of minority communities and the egregious violations of their non secular freedoms and locations of worship in Pakistan,” Jaiswal mentioned.India referred to as upon Pakistan to research the incident and make sure that these accountable are held accountable.“We name upon the Authorities of Pakistan to conduct a immediate and clear investigation into this incident and make sure that these accountable are held absolutely accountable,” the MEA spokesperson mentioned.India additionally urged Pakistan to take speedy steps to revive the temple and make sure the security and safety of minority communities and their cultural heritage.“Moreover, the Authorities of Pakistan should take speedy remedial measures to revive the desecrated temple and fulfill its main obligation to ensure the security, safety and well-being of all its minority residents and their cultural heritage,” Jaiswal added.
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Temple’s destruction triggered requires restoration
The greater than 100-year-old temple in Siraj village, round 130 km from Lahore, was demolished on August 21.Minority teams alleged that non secular zealots had focused the positioning to soak up its land into an adjoining madrassa, whereas Pakistan’s Evacuee Belief Property Board (ETPB) maintained that the construction had collapsed following torrential rains.ETPB senior official Rana Iftikhar acknowledged the temple’s historic significance, saying it was “greater than 100 to 125 years previous”, whereas sustaining that the land on which the temple stood had not been leased to anybody.The demolition prompted calls for from minority teams and native Hindu neighborhood leaders for an investigation and the restoration of the temple.