Over-century-old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Punjab province was demolished on August 21, triggering fears of deliberate targeting for its land. The Pakistan Masiha Millat Party (PMMP), residents and Hindu community representatives have alleged that religious zealots brought down the temple and that its land would be put to use by a madrassa. The government has rejected the allegation, stating that torrential rains caused the old structure to collapse.

The temple stood in Siraj village of Narowal, around 130 km from Lahore. Officials estimate that the temple was between 100 and 125 years old. It covered around 1,000 square metres and was considered an important place of worship for the local Hindu community.

Minority groups demanded a probe into the incident after the temple was demolished. They have also sought action against those responsible and called for the reconstruction of the historic temple. The allegations have raised fresh concerns over the safety of Hindu religious sites and minority properties in Pakistan.

PMMP chairman Aslam Parvez Sahotra told PTI that he met the Punjab Additional Home Secretary on August 28. He submitted a written application seeking action against the alleged perpetrators. He also sought action against officials accused of failing to protect the temple site.

Sahotra alleged that members of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a banned far-right Islamic party, were involved in the demolition. He claimed that metal fittings from the temple’s shikhar, bricks and other construction material were removed after the structure came down.

The dispute also involves land located next to the temple. Sahotra said the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had earlier leased the adjoining land for a madrassa. The lease was later cancelled after the rent allegedly remained unpaid for several years. The premises also remained unused for the purpose mentioned in the lease.

According to Sahotra, several people later occupied parts of the property illegally. He referred to a revenue department report that identified certain individuals as illegal occupants of the temple’s quarters and other parts of the property. He alleged that these occupants remained on the site despite official action.

The government has presented a different account of the incident. ETPB senior official Rana Iftikhar told PTI that torrential rains caused the temple to collapse. He confirmed that the structure was more than a century old.

"The temple carries no name in our record books. However, it is a very old one... more than 100 to 125 years old," he said.

Iftikhar also confirmed that the land adjoining the temple had been leased for the establishment of a seminary. However, he stressed that the temple’s own land had never been leased.

"The temple's land is not given to anyone for lease," he said, adding that senior ETPB officials would decide whether the temple should be restored.

Sahotra, however, cited an earlier ETPB order stating his concerns. He said the ETPB deputy administrator in Sialkot cancelled the seminary’s lease rights on January 29, 2026. The order also directed authorities to evict illegal occupants and seal the property.

Sahotra alleged that officials did not implement the order. He also referred to an April 11 report attributed to the DSP Narowal. According to him, the report indicated that local police were aware of security concerns around the temple. It also raised the possibility that the site could be damaged.

Members of the Hindu community condemned the demolition. Rattan Lal, a Hindu community leader, said, "The district administration and the ETPB failed to take adequate measures to protect the site or remove the alleged occupants, ultimately allowing the temple to be demolished," Lal said, as per PTI. He also demanded action against anyone found responsible for the demolition.

Lal is a Hindu member of the Narowal District Peace Committee and the Pak Dharam Astan Hindu Committee. He said the incident has created fear among members of the local Hindu community. He said people were now reluctant to visit the site.

"We are even afraid to visit the site because of the madrassa that continues to operate on its premises."

The conflicting accounts have intensified calls for an independent investigation into the temple’s demolition. Minority representatives want authorities to determine whether the structure collapsed due to the weather or whether it was deliberately brought down.

The incident raised concerns about the protection of Hindu religious heritage in Pakistan. Community representatives have urged the authorities to strengthen security around places of worship. They have also called for better protection of adjoining religious properties and action against illegal occupants.