Pakistani authorities stood idle, completely failed to protect minorities: India after attacks on Hindu temple

Geeta Mohan

Responding to the mob attack on a Hindu temple in Pakistan, India said authorities there have stood idle and completely failed to protect religious minorities. India also summoned Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires.

India on Thursday hit out at Pakistan saying it has "completely failed" to protect religious minorities and the continued attacks on them is "reprehensible". This comes a day after a mob attacked a Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province and damaged the idols therein.Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such incidents of violence and persecution against the minorities continue unabated in Pakistan.

"In addition to attacking the temple, surrounding houses belonging to Hindu community were also attacked. Incidents of violence, discrimination and persecution against minority communities, including attacks on places of worship have continued unabated in Pakistan," he said. 

  The spokesperson added that institutions in Pakistan have "stood idle and completely failed in protecting these institutions and places of worship". 

He said India also summoned Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires on Thursday afternoon and lodged a "firm protest expressing grave concern at this reprehensible incident and the continued attacks on the freedom of religion of the minority community and protection of their places of worship".

On Wednesday, a mob attacked a Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province and burned down parts of it and damaged its idols. As police failed to control the situation, the Pakistan Rangers were called in.

According to news agency PTI, police said the mob attacked the Hindu temple at Bhong city of Rahim Yar Khan district, some 590 km from Lahore, in reaction to alleged desecration of a Muslim seminary.

The DPO further said that some 100 Hindu families are living in the area and police have been deployed there to thwart any untoward incident. However, no one has been arrested in this matter so far. "Our first priority is to restore law and order and provide protection to the minority community," Sarfraz said. Speaking to PTI, another police official said the temple has been "damaged badly". "The attackers were carrying sticks, stones and bricks. They smashed the deities while raising religious slogans," he said, adding a part of the temple was burnt down.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hindu-temple-attacked-in-pakistan-india-say-authorities-stood-idle-completely-failed-to-protect-minorities-1837274-2021-08-05