Historic Hindu Temple demolished for commercial complex in Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 
12 April, 2024
Case Summary
A historically significant Hindu temple near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was demolished to make way for a commercial complex, sparking controversy. Known as the ‘Khyber Temple,’ it had remained closed since 1947 when the original occupants migrated to India, but had gradually fallen into disrepair over the years with the Islamic state ignoring its upkeep. Construction for the shopping complex began recently, despite claims of ignorance or compliance with regulations from various administrative departments. Local journalist Ibrahim Shinwari affirmed the temple's existence and criticised authorities' lack of action to protect it. He further said that the temple was partially damaged by some clerics and others in 1992 following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Haroon Sarabdiyal of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee stressed the government's responsibility to preserve such religious structures. Muhammad Irshad, Assistant Commissioner of Landi Kotal, expressed unawareness of the demolition, citing lack of official records, while officials clarified that commercial construction approvals were granted following due process. "Many aged tribal elders would bear testimony to this fact that there was a temple in the main Landi Kotal Bazaar,” journalist Shinwari said.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In Hinduism, a temple is the abode of the Deity. The Deity in the Temple is consecrated, thereby, making it a real, breathing entity. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the temple premises itself are sacred to Hindus since Hindus hold the faith that the entire Temple space is an amalgamation of the divine energy of the deity. Given the central significance of Temples in Hindu Dharma, any attack against a Hindu Temple or its peripheral premises is an attack on the faith itself and is born out of animosity towards the faith, of which, the Temple is a central tenet. Any manner of attack against a Temple and/or its premises would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime. Attacks on Hindu worship places are a severe manifestation of the religious persecution faced by the Hindu minorities in Pakistan. Such attacks aim to intimidate and demoralize the Hindu community. In this case, the perpetrators in the Islamic state vandalised a Hindu temple and desecrated the idols placed in the temple. Such attacks on the premises of a temple that aim to cause harm to the temple or its devotees demonstrate the inherent Hindumisia that radical Muslims harbour inside them. For this reason, this case qualifies for inclusion in the hate tracker database.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
State and Establishment
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
