India Condemns Demolition of Century-Old Hindu Temple in Pakistan

India on Wednesday strongly condemned the reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province, calling it a “reprehensible act of vandalism” and urging Islamabad to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation. The Ministry of External Affairs also criticised what it described as the apparent apathy of Pakistani authorities and their failure to protect a historic minority place of worship, according to a report.

The temple was located in Siraj village in Narowal district, around 130 km from Lahore, and was reportedly brought down on August 21. The incident has triggered demands from minority groups for an investigation and restoration of the religious site. ‘Unacceptable’: MEA Condemns Attack on Indian-Flagged Commercial Ship 'Haji Ali' Near Oman Coast.

MEA Slams Pakistan Over Century-Old Temple Demolition

Official Spokesperson’s response to media queries regarding reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan

🔗 https://t.co/jPd7WzGdUD pic.twitter.com/iFn4ElXT2m

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 2, 2026

MEA Calls Incident ‘Reprehensible’

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had noted with “deep concern” reports about the destruction of the historic Hindu temple. Jaiswal said the incident reflected continuing concerns about the vulnerability of minority communities and their religious sites in Pakistan. He also called the apparent failure of local authorities to protect the temple “alarming”.

India has called on Pakistan to conduct a prompt and transparent investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. New Delhi has also urged Pakistan to take immediate measures to restore the temple and fulfil what it described as its responsibility to protect minority citizens, their places of worship and cultural heritage. India Condemns Pakistan’s Airstrikes on Afghanistan During Ramadan; Cites ‘Islamic Solidarity’ Hypocrisy at UN.

Conflicting Accounts Over Demolition

The circumstances surrounding the temple's destruction remain disputed. Pakistan's minority rights groups and local representatives have alleged that the structure was deliberately demolished to clear its land for the expansion of an adjoining madrassa. The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party has reportedly sought action against those responsible and said the temple was more than 100 years old, with some estimates putting its age at around 125 years.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which oversees properties belonging to religious minorities, has disputed that account. Officials have said the temple collapsed because of heavy rainfall. The competing claims have added to calls for an independent investigation to establish exactly what happened.

Temple Land Becomes Part of Dispute

The reported demolition has also raised questions over the ownership and use of the land. Minority representatives have alleged that the temple site was being targeted for use in connection with the adjoining seminary. ETPB officials, however, have maintained that although adjoining land had been leased for a seminary, the temple's own land had not been leased.

Hindu community representatives have called for the temple to be restored and for authorities to determine whether any unauthorised activity took place at the site.

India Calls For Restoration

The MEA has specifically called for the “restoration” of the desecrated temple, alongside accountability for those found responsible. The demand comes amid wider concerns over the protection of minority religious sites in Pakistan. India's latest statement has therefore focused not only on the individual incident but also on the responsibility of Pakistani authorities to safeguard religious and cultural heritage belonging to minority communities.

Incident Adds To Minority Rights Concerns

The temple controversy has drawn attention to the broader issue of minority rights and religious freedom in Pakistan. India has previously raised concerns over reported attacks, vandalism and disputes involving places of worship belonging to minority communities in Pakistan. Islamabad has also faced domestic criticism from minority representatives over the protection and management of such sites.

In the Narowal case, however, the immediate focus remains on determining whether the temple was deliberately demolished or collapsed because of structural damage and heavy rainfall.

Probe Now Key To Establishing Facts

The Indian government's call for a transparent investigation puts the responsibility on Pakistani authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. A formal investigation could determine the cause of the temple's destruction, establish whether any individuals were involved and address the competing claims over the adjoining property.

Until those findings are made public, allegations of deliberate demolition remain disputed. India has nevertheless made clear that it expects Pakistan to protect minority places of worship and take action if wrongdoing is established.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2026 09:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).