Centennial Hindu temple in Punjab razed amid dispute over madrassa land
A Hindu temple over a century old in Siraj village, Narowal, was demolished on August 21, with minority groups accusing religious zealots of targeting the site, while officials claim heavy rain caused the collapse.
On August 21, a Hindu temple dating back more than a century in Siraj village, Narowal district of Punjab, was torn down, sparking accusations from minority groups that religious hardliners deliberately destroyed the site to seize its land for a nearby madrassa. The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party submitted a written complaint to the Punjab Additional Home Secretary, naming the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan as responsible and noting that metal fittings and bricks were taken after the demolition.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board, represented by senior official Rana Iftikhar, attributes the collapse to heavy rains and asserts that the temple’s own land was never leased. A revenue report had earlier identified illegal occupants on the property, and a January 2026 order to evict them was reportedly not enforced. Hindu community leader Rattan Lal condemned the failure of district authorities to protect the temple and urged the government to rebuild it. The dispute highlights broader concerns about the security of Hindu heritage sites in Pakistan.
Why it matters
The demolition raises concerns over protection of minority religious sites and property rights in Pakistan.
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