India protests demolition of Hindu temple in Pak-India-The Times of India

NEW DELHI: India has protested to Pakistan the demolition of a Hindu temple in Lahore to make way for a commercial complex, an action that has been condemned by political parties and others here.

"This matter has been taken up with the government of Pakistan," external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here on Thursday. He said the issue had also been raised with the Pakistan high commission here.

"Both India and Pakistan are strongly committed to protecting the shrines of minority communities on the two sides," Sarna added.

According to reports in the Pakistani media, the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan - which oversees minority shrines - had permitted a jeweller to demolish the Krishna Temple in Lahore to build a commercial complex there.

This evoked strong condemnation in India from minority bodies and political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress party and the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat.

"I strongly condemn the demolition. This latest happening has naturally shocked millions in our country," Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and BJP leader L.K. Advani said.

"We strongly condemn the demolition of Lahore's only temple. This incident has exposed the Pakistan government's false claim to protect Sikh and Hindu shrines," Anees Durrani of the Congress party's minority cell said in a statement.

According to the Dawn newspaper, which reported the demolition, ETPB officials did not mention that the property being given to a jeweller was a Hindu temple, adding the chairman may have rejected the request if he were informed.