Expressing concern over the atrocities against minorities in Pakistan, India on Thursday lodged a strong protest after summoning the Pakistan envoy here. He was told the attacks were taking place at an alarming rate.
The strong protest came after reports said a mob attacked a Ganesh temple in Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab, Pakistan recently.
Giving details here, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Pakistan Charge d'Affaires was summoned and a firm protest was lodged expressing grave concerns at this reprehensible incident and attacks on freedom of religion of minority communities and their places of worship. Pakistan was called upon to ensure safety, security and well-being of minority communities, he said.
Bagchi said “we have seen disturbing reports on social media of a violent mob attack on a Ganesh temple in Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab, Pakistan. Mob attacked the temple, desecrated holy idols and set fire to premises. The mob also attacked surrounding houses belonging to Hindu community.”
He said incidents of violence, discrimination and persecution against the minority communities including attacks on places of worship have continued unabated in Pakistan,
Within the last year itself, various temples and Gurudwaras have been attacked including the Mata Rani Bhatiyani Mandir in Sindh in January 2020, Gurudwara Sri Janam Sthan in January 2020, a Hindu temple in Karak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in December, he said.
“These incidents are occurring at an alarming rate while the state and security institutions in Pakistan have stood by idly and completely failed in preventing these attacks on the minority communities and their places of worship,” he said.