The temple in Narowal district was allegedly demolished by religious extremists to expand an adjoining madrassa, while Pakistan’s Punjab government claimed the structure collapsed due to torrential rain.
BY PC Bureau
NEW DELHI, September 2, 2026: India on Wednesday demanded accountability from Pakistan over the reported demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Punjab province, accusing authorities of failing to protect a minority place of worship and calling the alleged destruction a “reprehensible act of vandalism.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over what it called the “apparent apathy of authorities and failure” to protect the temple in Narowal district.
“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,” the MEA said.
New Delhi called for a prompt and transparent investigation, accountability for those responsible, immediate measures to restore the damaged site and fulfilment of Pakistan’s obligation to protect its minority communities.
The temple, estimated to be between 100 and 125 years old, was located in Siraj village in Narowal district, around 130 km from Lahore, and stood on nearly 1,000 square metres of land.
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
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Local residents, minority organisations and a political party alleged that religious extremists demolished the temple on August 21 to facilitate the expansion of an adjoining madrassa. The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) demanded action against those responsible and called for the temple to be rebuilt.
Parvez Sahotra, a minority rights activist, alleged that those involved belonged to Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a banned far-right Islamic political party.
The Punjab government, however, rejected the demolition allegation, saying the structure had collapsed because of heavy rain.
“Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora has also visited the Hindu Temple side & found just a portion of temple sign collapsed due to torrential rainfall which the govt has committed to restore,” the provincial government said.
Hindu community leader Rattan Lal condemned what he described as the destruction of the temple and urged the Punjab government to order its reconstruction. He also alleged that the district administration and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had failed to protect the site or remove illegal occupants.
The controversy comes barely weeks after the reported demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad in July. India had described that incident as “highly deplorable” and criticised Pakistan over the protection of its minority communities.
The latest episode has once again put Pakistan’s treatment of minority places of worship under scrutiny, with New Delhi demanding that Islamabad establish the facts and ensure accountability.
