India has strongly condemned the reported demolition of the historic 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Pakistans Farooqabad, describing the incident as a highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged Islamabad to conduct a swift investigation, bring those responsible to justice, and restore the damaged portions of the Sikh shrine.

The controversy erupted after reports claimed that a local businessman allegedly demolished parts of the century-old gurdwara, a site of significant religious and historical importance for the Sikh community. The shrine, located in Pakistans Punjab province, is believed to be more than 125 years old and is associated with the Sikh reform movement of the late 19th century.

The MEA said it was deeply distressed by the incident and expressed concern over reports that local authorities and the Evacuee Trust Property Board had failed to take meaningful action to prevent the demolition. India also alleged that the episode reflects a broader pattern of attacks on places of worship belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan.

The ministry called on the Pakistani government to identify and punish those responsible, rebuild the demolished sections of the gurdwara at the earliest, and ensure the safety and security of minority communities and their religious sites. The incident has sparked anger among Sikh groups in both Pakistan and abroad, with community representatives demanding strict legal action and better protection for religious heritage sites. The demolition has also renewed concerns over the preservation of historic Sikh shrines that remain in present-day Pakistan following the Partition of 1947.

Pakistans Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora, acknowledged that a portion of the historic gurdwara had been demolished and assured that the damaged structure would be reconstructed. His statement came after protests by members of the Sikh community and growing international attention over the incident. The reported demolition has added another layer of tension to India-Pakistan relations, with New Delhi insisting that the protection of minority places of worship is an international obligation. The incident is expected to remain under close watch as authorities in Pakistan investigate the matter and work toward restoring the historic shrine.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.