ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected allegations by India concerning damage to a Hindu temple in Narowal, describing New Delhi’s claims as “false and politically motivated.”
Responding to media questions on Friday, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the temple in the Adda Siraj area was damaged by torrential rainfall on July 21, 2026.
He said local authorities had inspected the site, assessed the damage and initiated measures to restore the affected structure.
“Contrary to the false propaganda being peddled by India, the temple’s structure was damaged on July 21, 2026, due to torrential rains,” the spokesperson said.
Khan criticised what he called India’s attempt to distort the circumstances surrounding the incident, describing it as “shameful” and accusing New Delhi of resorting to “cheap gimmicks.”
He maintained that such allegations could not divert international attention from what Pakistan described as India’s record of alleged discrimination against minorities and attacks on their places of worship.
The spokesperson also accused the Indian leadership of failing to protect minority communities, including Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, from what he termed the consequences of Hindutva ideology.
Amnesty report raises questions over India protests
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has alleged that Indian police used excessive force against young demonstrators during protests in New Delhi, including the use of electric shock devices and pellet guns.
The rights organisation said its findings contradicted the police version that force was deployed only after protesters became violent.
The report followed the establishment of a panel by India’s Supreme Court to investigate violence involving both demonstrators and law-enforcement personnel.
The protests erupted in New Delhi after the leak of a national medical entrance examination. Tensions escalated on July 20 when thousands of demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament, leading to clashes with police.
Amnesty said the protests had previously contributed to the resignation of India’s education minister.
