Nirendra Dev
In Delhi, India summoned Pakistan’s chargé d'affaires and lodged a ‘firm protest’ expressing concerns over the episode.
New Delhi: A day after a mob attacked a Hindu temple in Pakistan's Rahim Yar Khan district, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday (August 5) took to Twitter and "strongly condemned" the attack on Ganesh Mandir in Bhung.
"I have already asked IG Punjab to ensure the arrest of all culprits and take action against any police negligence. The government will also restore the Mandir," Khan tweeted.
In Delhi, India summoned Pakistan’s chargé d'affaires and lodged a ‘firm protest’ expressing concerns over the episode.
"We have seen disturbing reports on social media about a violent mob attack on a Ganesha temple in Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab province of Pakistan. The mob attacked the temple, desecrated the holy idols and set fire to the premises," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters.
He also said the mob has also attacked "surrounding houses belonging to the Hindu community."
"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 2020," he said.
These incidents are occurring at "an alarming rate while the state and security institutions in Pakistan have stood by idly," he said.
"The Pakistani C’dA was summoned and a firm protest was lodged expressing our grave concerns at this reprehensible incident and the continued attacks on the freedom of religion of the minority community and their places of religious worship; calling upon Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities," he said.
Afghan and UNSC
On the Afghanistan front, the MEA spokesperson said: "You are all well aware of our close relationship with Afghanistan. Our relations are broad-based and cover various aspects, including a strong development partnership. We are also strategic partners and are guided by the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2011."
He said India has been "supporting" the Government and people of Afghanistan in realizing their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future, where the interests of all sections of Afghan society, including women and minorities, would be protected.
"We are closely monitoring the evolving security situation, and we continue to call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire."
"We support an Afghan led, Afghan owned and Afghan controlled peace process," Bagchi said.
"As regards the UN Security Council, the issue of Afghanistan will be deliberated tomorrow (Friday), he said, adding, "You would have seen the Press Statement of August 3 on the escalating violence in Afghanistan, which echoes much of what we have been saying."
