India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 1 July condemned the partial demolition of the nearly 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan, calling it a 'highly deplorable and targeted act of vandalism' against a revered Sikh shrine. The incident, attributed to land mafia elements, has drawn sharp reactions from both the Indian government and political leaders in Punjab.

What Happened in Farooqabad

A portion of the historic Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha — a structure dating back approximately 125 years — was reportedly demolished by land mafia elements in Farooqabad, a town in Pakistan's Punjab province. Notably, the Pakistan government had itself declared the building a protected historic monument, with a complete ban on any demolition activity. Despite that official designation, the damage was carried out, according to reports.

India's Official Response

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a formal statement urging Islamabad to investigate the incident thoroughly, restore the damaged portions of the gurdwara, and guarantee the safety and well-being of religious minorities in Pakistan. The MEA's characterisation of the act as 'targeted vandalism' signals the seriousness with which New Delhi is treating the episode, given the deep religious significance of Sikh shrines in undivided Punjab.

Punjab BJP Condemns the Incident

Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Kewal Singh Dhillon issued a strong condemnation on Wednesday, criticising the Pakistan government for failing to protect a structure it had itself designated as a historic monument. 'Despite this, the damage caused to Sikh historical heritage is deeply unfortunate,' Dhillon said in his statement.

Dhillon called on the Pakistan government to treat the matter — which he described as closely linked to Sikh sentiments — with 'utmost seriousness' and to halt any further demolition immediately. He also demanded that the fundamental rights, personal safety, and property of Sikhs as a minority community in Pakistan be protected without exception, along with all historic gurdwaras and Sikh heritage structures.

A Pattern of Attacks on Sikhs in Pakistan

The gurdwara demolition is not an isolated incident, according to Dhillon. He noted that attacks and atrocities against Sikhs in Pakistan's Punjab province have been 'repeatedly coming to light.' Among the recent incidents cited: a sevadar (caretaker) of a gurdwara and his wife were reportedly brutally murdered a few days prior to the demolition. Reports of frequent attacks on gurdwaras in the region continue to emerge, which Dhillon described as 'extremely alarming and unacceptable.'

This comes amid longstanding concerns raised by Sikh diaspora groups and human rights organisations about the shrinking space for religious minorities in Pakistan. The Sikh community in Pakistan is estimated to number in the tens of thousands, concentrated largely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces.

What Happens Next

New Delhi's formal demand for restoration and accountability puts diplomatic pressure on Islamabad at a time when India-Pakistan relations remain tense. Whether Pakistan investigates the incident and acts against those responsible will be closely watched by Sikh organisations globally. The incident is also likely to be raised through diplomatic channels in the days ahead.