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Was a 100 year old temple demolished in Pakistan to build a madrasa, is there a dispute over the land… 10 points to understand the whole story
Samira Vishwas | September 1, 2026 4:24 PM CST

The controversy has deepened after the demolition of a Hindu temple more than 100 years old in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Minority organizations and local people have made serious allegations regarding this ancient temple located in Siraj village of Narowal. They claim that the temple was deliberately demolished so that its land could be used for a nearby madrassa.

At the same time, government officials have rejected these allegations and said that the temple collapsed due to heavy rains. Located about 130 kilometers from Lahore, this temple was spread over an area of ​​about 1,000 square meters and its age is said to be more than 100 to 125 years. After the demolition of the temple on August 21, demands are now being raised for investigation into the matter, action against those responsible and its reconstruction.

What is the controversy regarding demolition of the temple?

According to news agency PTI, Pakistan Messiah Millat Party (PMMP), local people and representatives of the Hindu community have alleged that a group of religious fundamentalists demolished the temple and then its land was used to build a madrassa. PMMP President Aslam Parvez Sahotra said that he had met the Additional Home Secretary of Punjab on August 28. During this, he submitted a written application demanding action against the people involved in the demolition of the temple and also against the officials who failed in protecting the religious place.

Sahotra alleged that people associated with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were involved in the temple demolition incident. He also claimed that after the demolition of the temple, the metal fittings of its peak, bricks and other construction materials were removed from there.

What was said about the land?

According to Sahotra, the land adjacent to the temple was earlier given on lease by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to build a madrasa. However, this lease was later canceled due to non-payment of rent for many years and the land was not being used as per its intended purpose. He claimed that even after the lease was cancelled, some people illegally occupied parts of the property. Citing a report of the Revenue Department, Sahotra said that it had identified the people occupying the temple quarters and other parts of the property.

What did the officials say on the allegations?

The government officials’ stand is different from the allegations of minority organizations regarding the temple. Senior ETPB official Rana Iftikhar said that the temple had collapsed due to heavy rains. However, he also confirmed that the structure of the temple was quite old. He said, “There is no name of this temple in our records. However, it is a very old temple. More than 100 to 125 years old.” Iftikhar told that the land adjacent to the temple was given on lease to establish a madrasa. However, he clarified that the temple’s own land was not given on lease to anyone. “Temple land is not given on lease to anyone,” he said.

Which order of 2026 was referred to?

Sahotra claimed that the Deputy Administrator of ETPB in Sialkot had issued an order on January 29, 2026. According to him, in this order, along with canceling the lease rights of the Madrasa, instructions were given to remove the alleged illegal occupier and seal the property. He also cited a report issued by the DSP of Narowal on April 11. He claims that in the report, the local police was said to be aware of security concerns around the temple and the possibility of damage to it.

What is the demand of Hindu community?

Hindu community leader Ratan Lal has condemned the demolition of the temple. He demanded the administration to restore the ancient religious site and take action against those responsible for the incident. According to PTI, Lal said, “The district administration and the ETPB failed to take adequate measures to secure the site or remove the alleged encroachers, resulting in the demolition of the temple. We are afraid to even visit the place as a madrasa is still running there.”


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