Pakistan: Action against 150 people for vandalizing Ganesh temple, FIR against 150 people

Islamabad, Ta. Friday 6 August 2021

The FIR was registered by the Pakistan Police on August 4 at 5 pm. The case has been handed over to ASI.

Bhong Sharif police have registered an FIR under Section 6 against 100-150 unidentified persons in connection with the vandalism and arson of Siddhivinayak temple in Rahimyar Khan, Punjab province, Pakistan. The matter will be heard today.

The chairman of the Hindu Parishad in Pakistan and a member of the National Assembly tweeted that repair work had also started after the attack on the Ganesh temple.

The FIR was registered more than 24 hours after the demolition of the Siddhivinayak temple. All FIRs have been made against unknown people. No case has been registered against any of the nominees while the faces of the saboteurs are clearly visible in the viral video. Earlier on Thursday evening, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered action against the culprits.

Criticism made by the Ministry of External Affairs

India has also expressed displeasure over the demolition and arson of the temple. The central government said that Pakistan has completely failed to protect minorities.

A spokesman for the foreign ministry said such incidents of violence and harassment against minorities in Pakistan continued unabated. Apart from the attack on the temple, houses around the Hindu community were also attacked, he said. Incidents of violence, discrimination and harassment against the minority community in Pakistan, including attacks on places of worship, continue unabated.

After criticism from all sides, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan finally strongly condemned the incident. PM Imran Khan said whoever is guilty in the case will be arrested. Pakistan's chief justice has decided to hold a hearing on Friday.

The whole incident took place on Wednesday evening, when road people broke into the temple in Bhong Sharif village in Sadiqabad district and vandalized it. The video of the demolition of the temple also went viral on social media.

Hindus protested after the incident on Thursday. The court has fixed the hearing of the case today.

The Chief Justice decided to intervene after meeting the chairman of the Hindu Parishad and a member of the National Assembly. Punjab's chief secretary and IG have also been summoned in the Supreme Court on Friday.