'Deeply Distressing': India Tears Into Pakistan Over Demolition Of Historic Sikh Gurdwara

Last Updated:July 01, 2026, 19:18 IST

Calling the incident part of a wider pattern, India said the demolition was "unfortunately not an isolated incident".

India on Wednesday strongly condemned the reported demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Pakistan’s Farooqabad, calling it a “deeply distressing" and “highly deplorable" act while accusing Islamabad of failing to protect the country’s religious minorities and their places of worship.

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was “deeply distressed" by reports that portions of the historic Sikh shrine had been demolished.

“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.

The MEA also expressed concern over reports that no meaningful action had been taken either by the local authorities or Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the statutory body responsible for administering religious properties left behind by Hindus and Sikhs after Partition.

Calling the incident part of a wider pattern, India said the demolition was “unfortunately not an isolated incident".

“The systemic targeting of religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan continues unabated," Jaiswal said.

New Delhi urged the Pakistani government to conduct a swift investigation, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.

“The demolished portions of the Gurdwara Sahib should be restored and reconstructed at the earliest," the MEA said, while also calling on Pakistan to fulfil its responsibility to safeguard minority communities and their places of worship.

India further urged Islamabad to put “a decisive end to the prevailing environment of sectarian violence and religious intolerance" in the country.

A History Of Attacks On Minority Shrines

The latest diplomatic protest comes against the backdrop of repeated concerns raised by India and Sikh organisations over the condition of several historic Sikh and Hindu religious sites in Pakistan.

Over the years, incidents of vandalism, encroachment and damage to minority places of worship—including Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Janam Asthan, temples in Karak, Rahim Yar Khan and parts of Sindh, as well as Ahmadi and Christian religious sites—have periodically drawn international attention and criticism. India has on several occasions urged Pakistan to ensure the preservation of religious heritage and provide adequate protection to minority communities.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board, which administers hundreds of Sikh and Hindu religious properties in Pakistan, has also faced criticism from sections of the Sikh community over the maintenance and protection of heritage shrines.

About the Author

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has c...Read More

News world 'Deeply Distressing': India Tears Into Pakistan Over Demolition Of Historic Sikh Gurdwara

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