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Local residents, minority organisations and a political party alleged that religious extremists demolished the temple to incorporate its land into an adjacent madrassa.
The 100- to 125-year-old temple, located in Siraj village in Narowal district, around 130 km from Lahore, occupied nearly 1,000 square metres of land.
An over century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province was demolished, triggering demands from minority groups for an investigation and restoration of the religious site. The 100- to 125-year-old temple, located in Siraj village in Narowal district, around 130 km from Lahore, occupied nearly 1,000 square metres of land.
Local residents, minority organisations and a political party alleged that a group of religious extremists demolished the temple on August 21 to incorporate its land into an adjacent madrassa. Government officials, however, disputed the allegation, saying the old structure collapsed following torrential rains.
The alleged demolition has prompted the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) to seek action against those responsible and call for the temple to be rebuilt.
Temple demolition sparks allegations over madrassa land
PMMP chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra told PTI that he met Punjab’s Additional Home Secretary on August 28 and submitted a written complaint seeking action against those allegedly involved in the demolition, as well as officials accused of failing to protect the temple.
Parvez Sahotra alleged that the people who demolished the temple belonged to the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a banned far-right Islamic political party.
He further claimed that metal fittings from the temple’s shikhar, along with bricks and other material from the demolished structure, were later removed from the site.
According to Parvez Sahotra, the land adjoining the temple had previously been leased by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) for a madrassa. The lease was subsequently cancelled after rent allegedly went unpaid for several years and the premises were not used for their stated purpose.
He alleged that several people later occupied parts of the property illegally. The ETPB, however, said the temple was not demolished but collapsed due to torrential rainfall.
ETPB senior official Rana Iftikhar confirmed that the structure was around 100 to 125 years old.
“The temple carries no name in our record books. However, it is a very old one… more than 100 to 125 years old,” Iftikhar told PTI, adding that it collapsed because of heavy rains.
He also said the land adjoining the temple had been leased for a madrassa, but stressed that the temple’s own land had not been leased to anyone.
Iftikhar said ETPB senior officials would decide whether the temple should be restored.
Parvez Sahotra, meanwhile, cited a revenue department report that allegedly identified several individuals as illegal occupants of the temple’s quarters and other parts of the property. He said an ETPB deputy administrator in Sialkot had cancelled the seminary’s lease rights on January 29, 2026, and ordered the eviction of illegal occupants and sealing of the property.
“That order was not implemented,” Parvez Sahotra alleged.
A report attributed to the Narowal deputy superintendent of police, dated April 11, also allegedly indicated that local police were aware of security concerns surrounding the temple and the possibility of damage to the site.
Hindu Leaders Seek Restoration
Hindu community leader Rattan Lal condemned the demolition and urged the Punjab government to order the temple’s reconstruction. Rattan Lal alleged that the district administration and ETPB failed to take adequate steps to protect the site or remove illegal occupants, ultimately allowing the temple to be demolished.
“We are even afraid to visit the site because of the madrassa that continues to operate on its premises,” Rattan Lal said.
Rattan Lal, who is also a member of the Narowal District Peace Committee and the Pak Dharam Astan Hindu Committee, called for action against those found responsible.
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Ask News18The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP) has sought action against those allegedly involved in the demolition of the Hindu temple and against officials accused of failing to protect it. However, government officials have disputed the allegation of demolition, stating that the structure collapsed due to torrential rains.
Ask News18September 01, 2026, 10:08 IST
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