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 "highly deplorable" and "targeted act of vandalism" against a revered Sikh shrine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged the Pakistani government to launch a prompt investigation, bring those responsible to justice, and restore the damaged portions of the gurdwara at the earliest. The remarks came after reports claimed that a part of the historic religious structure had allegedly been demolished by a land mafia, triggering concern over the protection of minority places of worship in Pakistan.

Responding to questions during the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was deeply disturbed by reports of the demolition and what it described as the alleged inaction of the Pakistani authorities. In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Jaiswal said India viewed the incident as a serious attack on a site of immense religious and historical significance for the Sikh community. He also expressed concern over reports suggesting that neither the local administration nor the Evacuee Trust Property Board had taken meaningful action to prevent the demolition or respond effectively after the incident.

"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. Its destruction, along with reports of no meaningful action being taken by local authorities or the Evacuee Trust Property Board, is a matter of grave concern," Jaiswal said. He further stated that India expects Pakistan to conduct a thorough investigation, identify those responsible, and ensure they are held accountable under the law. He also stressed that the demolished sections of the gurdwara should be restored and reconstructed without delay.

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The MEA maintained that the demolition was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of attacks and neglect affecting minority communities in Pakistan. The ministry expressed concern over what it described as the "systematic targeting" of religious minorities and their places of worship. In its statement, India urged the Pakistani government to fulfil its responsibility of protecting the safety, security and well-being of minority communities, including Sikhs, Hindus and Christians, while ensuring that their religious and cultural heritage is preserved. The ministry also called on Islamabad to take decisive measures to end what it termed an environment of sectarian violence and religious intolerance.

The latest diplomatic protest adds to a series of concerns raised by India over the treatment of minority communities and the condition of their places of worship in Pakistan. Religious sites linked to the Sikh faith hold deep historical significance, particularly because several important gurdwaras associated with the lives of the Sikh Gurus are located in present-day Pakistan.

While Pakistan has previously stated that it is committed to preserving minority religious heritage, incidents involving alleged vandalism, encroachment and damage to such sites have periodically drawn criticism from India and Sikh organisations. The reported demolition of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib has once again placed the spotlight on the protection of minority religious heritage, with New Delhi calling for immediate corrective action and accountability from the Pakistani authorities.

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