Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province demolished

Hindu temple demolition Punjab province religious minority rights Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board

A century-old Hindu temple in the Narowal district of Punjab, Pakistan, has been destroyed, sparking a dispute between religious minority groups and government officials. The temple, located in Siraj village, occupied approximately 1,000 square meters of land and was estimated to be between 100 and 125 years old.

Members of the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) and local Hindu leaders allege that the temple was deliberately demolished on August 21 by extremists associated with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). They claim the destruction was intended to seize the temple's land to expand an adjacent madrasa. PMMP Chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra reported that metal fittings and bricks were removed from the site following the incident and has formally requested the Punjab government to take action and rebuild the structure.

In contrast, officials from the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) have denied the allegations of intentional demolition. They stated that the ancient structure collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The ETPB noted that while the land adjacent to the temple had previously been leased for a madrasa, that lease was canceled due to unpaid rent and failure to use the property for its intended purpose.

Entities

Evacuee Trust Property Board · Narowal · Narowal District · Pakistan Masiha Millat Party · Punjab · Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] The Hindu temple was estimated to be between 100 and 125 years old. www.aajtak.in · www.zoomnews.in · navbharatlive.com · hindi.news18.com · thecsrjournal.in · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Metal fittings, bricks, and other materials were removed from the site following the demolition. www.aajtak.in · navbharatlive.com · thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The demolition was carried out by individuals associated with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). www.aajtak.in · www.zoomnews.in · navbharatlive.com · hindi.news18.com · thecsrjournal.in · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Religious extremists demolished the temple on August 21 to incorporate its land into a nearby madrasa. www.aajtak.in · www.zoomnews.in · navbharatlive.com · hindi.news18.com · thecsrjournal.in · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had previously leased adjacent land for a madrasa, but the lease was canceled due to unpaid rent. www.aajtak.in · thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The temple was located in Siraj village in the Narowal district of Punjab province. www.aajtak.in · www.zoomnews.in · navbharatlive.com · hindi.news18.com · thecsrjournal.in · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The temple collapsed due to heavy rainfall rather than being demolished. www.aajtak.in · navbharatlive.com · hindi.news18.com · www.tv9hindi.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The temple structure occupied approximately 1,000 square meters of land. www.aajtak.in · www.zoomnews.in · navbharatlive.com · hindi.news18.com · thecsrjournal.in · +1 more