Hindu temple demolished for ‘illegal seminary’s expansion’ in Narowal
LAHORE: The demolition of an over-a-century-old Hindu temple in Narowal has triggered a controversy with a minority rights group alleging that the structure was deliberately razed to facilitate the expansion of an adjoining seminary while the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) insists that the temple collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The temple in village Siraj was demolished on Aug 21. The…
On August 21, an over-a-century-old Hindu temple in Narowal's village Siraj was demolished, sparking controversy. Minority rights group Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) alleged the temple was deliberately razed to allow an adjoining seminary's expansion. However, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) claimed the temple collapsed due to heavy rainfall.
PMMP Chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra and some locals met Punjab's additional home secretary on August 28, submitting a written application demanding action against those responsible for the demolition and officials accused of failing to protect the religious site. The ETPB rejects the charge, stating that the land adjoining the temple was leased to a seminary, and the lease was cancelled after unpaid rent for several years, leading to illegal occupation.
ETPB official Iftikhar Rana dismissed the PMMP's allegations, insisting the temple had collapsed due to torrential rains. He confirmed the temple's age to be over 100-125 years old and acknowledged the lease to a seminary for the adjoining land, but clarified that the temple itself was not leased. The ETPB will decide on the temple's restoration.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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