Pakistan’s key religious body condemns temple vandalism

Islamabad: Pakistan’s top religious body, Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), has strongly condemned the mob attack and damage to the Hindu temple in Bhong Sharif in southern Punjab province of Pakistan.

The CII in its statement said “Like the lives and property of non-Muslim minorities living in Pakistan, the protection of their places of worship is the legal responsibility of the state.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan and country’s apex court immediately took notice of the incident and a thorough investigation is still underway following the arrests of dozens of attackers. The council welcomed the federal government’s decision to restore the temple and praised the chief justice of Pakistan for timely action and commendable steps which the Council said “will lead to significant progress in bringing the evil elements to justice.”

“Demolishing any of the religious places of worship is a clear violation of Islamic law and Pakistani law,” the CII statement asserted and noted that all perpetrators involved in the crime have to be prosecuted in accordance with legislation.

The Council of Islamic Ideology is a constitutional body that advises the lawmakers on the Islamic aspect of laws.

Pakistan’s parliament passed a resolution to strongly condemned the attack and vandalism on a Hindu temple in district Rahim Yar Khan of Punjab province. The National Assembly assured stern action against the culprits, saying the parliament is “committed to protect rights of minorities and provide full protection to their places of worship.”

Member of National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, who is the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, condemned the attack on Hindu temples, saying such incidents bring disrespect to the country.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on August 6 took serious notice of the incident and rebuked Punjab police for failing to protect the temple that was attacked by a mob and ordered authorities to immediately arrest the culprits. Nearly 100 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed said the tragic incident had damaged Pakistan’s reputation at an international level. “Imagine what would have been the reaction of Muslims had a mosque been demolished,” the top judge said while questioning Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani, who was summoned to appear before the court.

The incident took place last week when hundreds of people vandalised the Hindu temple in Bhong and blocked the Sukkur-Multan Motorway. Police said the protesters stormed the Ganesh temple to protest a court decision to free an 8-year-old Hindu boy they accused of blasphemy for allegedly urinating in a local seminary.