India condemns reports that a 125-year-old Sikh gurdwara in Farooqabad, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, was demolished, calling it a “highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, says it has seen distressing reports about the demolition of the historic Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib and adds that India is concerned about the absence of meaningful action by local authorities or Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

According to Pakistani authorities, the demolition took place on the night of June 24 and reportedly occurred without obtaining a required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant department. India also notes that it is not an isolated incident and that similar allegations have been raised previously regarding treatment of religious minorities and their places of worship in Pakistan.

India calls on Pakistan to expeditiously investigate the incident, bring those responsible to justice, and restore and reconstruct the demolished portions. The demolition triggers protests among Pakistan’s Sikh community, and local authorities in Farooqabad attribute the demolition to a land mafia, while Sikh representatives demand a high-level inquiry.