Pakistan rejects India’s temple claims as ‘false, political’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday rejected allegations by India over the reported collapse of a Hindu temple in Narowal, describing New Delhi’s claims as “false and politically motivated” and accusing it of distorting facts for political purposes.

The dispute centres on a more than century-old Hindu temple in Siraj village, Narowal, whose condition recently drew attention after the structure was damaged following heavy monsoon rains.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had called for a prompt and transparent investigation, describing the reported destruction of the temple as a “reprehensible act of vandalism”.

India’s reaction came after a minority rights group alleged that the historic structure had been deliberately demolished to make way for the expansion of an adjoining seminary.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office, however, strongly rejected the allegation.

In a statement posted on social media, FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan categorically rejected what he described as “false and politically motivated assertions” by the Indian government.

He said the temple had been damaged on July 21 as a result of torrential rainfall, contradicting allegations that it had been intentionally demolished.

“The local authorities have already surveyed the rain damage and initiated steps for the restoration of the building,” the spokesperson said.

The Foreign Office maintained that authorities had responded to the damage and were taking measures to restore the historic structure.

Khan also accused India of using the issue to promote what Pakistan considers misleading propaganda.

“It is, therefore, shameful that India is distorting facts and resorting to cheap gimmicks,” he said.

The exchange has added another point of contention to already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, where allegations concerning the treatment of religious minorities frequently become politically sensitive.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office also turned the criticism back on India, alleging that New Delhi had a poor record on minority rights.

The spokesperson accused India of the “systematic persecution of minorities” and alleged state-sponsored attacks against places of worship.

He specifically referred to the treatment of Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities in India, saying the international community should hold the Indian leadership accountable.

The controversy over the Narowal temple comes as Pakistan continues to face questions about the preservation and protection of religious sites belonging to minority communities.

The Foreign Office’s response suggests Islamabad intends to challenge what it views as attempts by New Delhi to portray Pakistan as failing to protect minority places of worship.

For now, the central disagreement remains over the cause of the temple’s collapse: India has demanded an investigation into alleged vandalism, while Pakistan insists that severe rainfall caused the damage and that restoration efforts are already underway.