125-year-Old Gurdwara demolished in Pakistan, India reacts

India on Wednesday condemned the reported demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan's Punjab province, after a local businessman allegedly razed the historic Sikh shrine without mandatory official clearance.

According to Pakistani authorities, the gurdwara was demolished on the night of June 24 without obtaining the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned department. The incident sparked protests from the local Sikh community, prompting the Punjab provincial government to order an inquiry and announce restoration of the shrine.

India condemns demolition

Reacting to the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the demolition as a "highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism" against a revered Sikh place of worship.

“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,” Jaiswal said.

He added that reports suggesting no meaningful action had been taken by local authorities or the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) were “a matter of grave concern”.

The MEA said the demolition reflected a broader pattern of attacks on religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan.

"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 spokesperson said.

India called on the Government of Pakistan to investigate the incident expeditiously, bring those responsible to justice and restore the demolished portions of the historic gurdwara at the earliest.

Pakistan orders inquiry, restoration

Following protests by members of the Sikh community, Pakistan's Punjab government took note of the incident. Provincial authorities have ordered an inquiry into the demolition, while Minority Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora announced that restoration work on the shrine would begin immediately.

India also urged Pakistan to fulfil its obligation to protect the safety, security and religious rights of minority communities and safeguard their places of worship.