India lodges strong protest with Pakistan over demolition of temple
Earlier this week, a Hindu temple was set ablaze by a mob in Karak, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistani Hindu community staged a protest in the aftermath of the demolishment of the temple which was over 100 years old.
FollowNew Delhi: The Government of India (GoI) has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the demolition of a Hindu Temple in Pakistan’s northwestern province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier this week, a Hindu temple was set ablaze by a mob in Karak, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistani Hindu community staged a protest in the aftermath of the demolishment of the temple which was over 100 years old.
In the video which went viral on the internet, attackers used sledgehammers to knock down walls before setting the building ablaze.
The attack on the temple also drew strong condemnation from human rights activists and Hindu community leaders. On Thursday, the provincial government ordered authorities to reconstruct the damaged temple as it vowed to bring the culprits to justice.
AFP reports that the temple will be rebuilt using provincial government funds. "We regret the damage caused by the attack," said Kamran Bangash, the provincial information minister. "The chief minister has ordered the reconstruction of the temple and adjoining house," he said.
Construction will start as soon as possible with the support of the Hindu community, he said, adding security would be provided at the site.
Interestingly, the provincial government is ruled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is also the ruling Party of the country. The temple has been the target of radical Islamists in the past as well. It was demolished in 1997 and later reconstructed again in 2015.
