India on Wednesday strongly condemned the reported demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan, describing it as a “highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism” against a revered Sikh shrine.
Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep concern over the destruction of the historic gurdwara and reports alleging that no meaningful action had been taken by local authorities or Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
“We strongly condemn this highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism against a revered Sikh shrine,” Jaiswal said, adding that the incident was a matter of grave concern.
The MEA said the demolition was not an isolated case and alleged that the “systemic targeting of religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan continues unabated.”
India called on the Government of Pakistan to conduct an expeditious investigation, bring those responsible to justice, and restore and reconstruct the demolished portions of the Gurdwara Sahib at the earliest.
The MEA also urged Pakistan to fulfil its obligations to ensure the safety, security and well-being of minority communities and protect their places of worship, while calling for an end to sectarian violence and religious intolerance in the country.