India Asks Pakistan to Investigate Historic Gurdwara Vandalism: Govt

New Delhi: The government is aware of the reported demolition of a portion of a 125-year-old gurdwara in Pakistan's Farooqabad, and has urged Islamabad to expeditiously investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of this "despicable act" to justice, the Lok Sabha was informed Friday.

The written response by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh came to a query on whether the government is aware of the alleged demolition of a portion of the historic Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, and if so, what steps had the government taken in this regard.

"The government is aware of the reported demolition of a portion of the historic 125-year-old sacred Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan. The government strongly condemned the act, and urged the government of Pakistan to expeditiously investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice," Singh said.

In the last five years, the government has raised "at least 550 major incidents of atrocities against minorities, including 31 cases of desecration of religious places", with the government of Pakistan, he added.

India has urged the Pakistan government to discharge its obligations to ensure safety, security, and well-being of its minority communities and their places of worship, and "put a decisive end" to the prevailing environment of "sectarian violence and religious intolerance in Pakistan", the MoS said.

The government said, through its diplomatic missions and posts abroad, it remains in touch with host governments to address issues related to minority communities including Sikhs.

The government, from time to time, also raises these issues at multilateral fora, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the minister said.

In a separate query, the Ministry of External Affairs was asked for details on "measurable diplomatic outcomes" which the government has secured in terms of stronger international action against cross-border terrorism and greater accountability for states that continue to shelter or support terrorist infrastructure.

The government has been sensitising other countries on an ongoing basis on the issue of cross-border terrorism "emanating from Pakistan" during various high-level and other official visits, Singh said.

India has also set up Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Counter Terrorism with 31 countries and six multilateral groupings where such issues are regularly taken up, the government said.

"Due to these persistent efforts, the global community has a greater understanding and appreciation of India's concerns on cross-border terrorism. Several countries have called upon Pakistan to not allow its territory to be used for terrorism in any manner," he said.

India's actions to defend itself against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack has been "recognised by many nations". The condemnation of the attack was also reflected in outcome documents at various multilateral fora, including the UNSC Press Statement of April 25, 2025, the MoS added.