India Condemns Demolition of Historic Sikh Shrine
India has strongly condemned the reported demolition of the historic 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan, calling it a deeply disturbing act of vandalism against a revered Sikh place of worship. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), responding to media queries on Tuesday, expressed serious concern over the incident and urged the Government of Pakistan to conduct a swift investigation, punish those responsible, and restore the damaged sections of the shrine.
The statement was issued by the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, who described the incident as part of a larger pattern of attacks targeting religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan.
“We Strongly Condemn This Highly Deplorable and Targeted Act of Vandalism”
In his official response, Randhir Jaiswal said the Government of India had taken note of reports regarding the demolition of the historic Sikh shrine and viewed the development with deep concern.
“We have seen the deeply distressing reports regarding the demolition of the historic 125-year-old sacred Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan. We strongly condemn this highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism against a revered Sikh shrine.”
He further noted that reports suggesting the absence of meaningful action by local authorities and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had added to India’s concerns.
According to the MEA, the destruction of the shrine and the reported inaction by responsible authorities raise serious questions about the protection of religious heritage and minority communities in Pakistan.
India Says Incident Reflects a Larger Pattern
The Ministry stated that the reported demolition should not be viewed as an isolated occurrence. Instead, it argued that similar incidents involving minority communities and their places of worship have been reported in the past.
Highlighting this concern, Jaiswal remarked, “This is unfortunately not an isolated incident, as we have also seen similar reports earlier. The systemic targeting of religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan continues unabated.”
The statement reflects India’s longstanding position that members of minority faiths, including Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and others, require greater protection and equal rights to practise and preserve their religious traditions without fear.
Call for Immediate Investigation and Restoration
The Ministry of External Affairs called upon the Government of Pakistan to launch an expeditious investigation into the reported demolition and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Jaiswal urged Pakistani authorities to take prompt corrective measures.
“We call upon the Government of Pakistan to expeditiously investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice.”
India also appealed for the damaged portions of the Gurdwara to be restored and reconstructed at the earliest so that the historic place of worship could be preserved for future generations.
The restoration of religious heritage sites, the MEA indicated, is essential not only for the Sikh community but also for safeguarding the region’s shared cultural and historical legacy.
Appeal to Protect Religious Minorities
Beyond the immediate incident, the Indian government urged Pakistan to fulfil its obligations toward protecting minority communities and ensuring their security.
In the concluding part of the statement, Jaiswal stressed, “The demolished portions of the Gurdwara Sahib should be restored and reconstructed at the earliest. Further, we urge the Government of Pakistan to discharge its obligations to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of its minority communities and their places of worship, and put a decisive end to the prevailing environment of sectarian violence and religious intolerance in Pakistan.”
The MEA underlined that ensuring the safety of places of worship is a fundamental responsibility of every government and forms an essential part of protecting religious freedom and cultural heritage.
Significance of the Shrine
The reported demolition involves Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, a Sikh shrine believed to be over 125 years old. Such historic gurdwaras hold immense religious and cultural significance for Sikhs around the world, serving not only as places of worship but also as symbols of the community’s historical presence in the region.
Any damage to these heritage sites often draws attention from Sikh organisations and governments concerned with the preservation of religious monuments.
Diplomatic Message from New Delhi
Through its official statement, India has conveyed both its condemnation of the reported demolition and its expectation that Pakistan take concrete action. The MEA has called for justice, restoration of the shrine, and stronger measures to protect minority communities from future incidents.
The statement also reiterates India’s broader position that religious heritage sites must be preserved and that governments have an obligation to prevent acts of vandalism, safeguard places of worship, and uphold the rights and dignity of all religious communities.
