A mob vandalized and set ablaze an historic Hindu temple located in Karak District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday according to the residents and local police.
According to the details, the Krishna Dwara temple located in Karak District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was attacked by hundreds of residents who set the building on fire.
The attack was confirmed by the Karak District Police Officer Irfanullah who told Dawn that the incident created a law and order situation in the area.
According to the officer, the area residents had issued a call for peaceful protest but a cleric incited the crowd following which they attacked the Hindu temple.
The issue reportedly broke out after it was revealed that the shrine’s keeper had secretly bought an under-construction house next to the property.
Muslim residents of the area believed that it was done to expand the Hindu temple and the matter was reported to police but no action was taken.
According to the District Police Officer (DPO) Irfanullah, there are no Hindus living in the area and the under-construction home belonged to a single samadhi.
The District Police Officer (DPO) said that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered but no one has been arrested yet. “Legal action will be taken against all the people who took the law in their hands,” he added.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also taken notice of the incident and directed police to take action against the people involved in the crime.
Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari tweeted: “Strongly condemned the burning of the Hindu temple in Karak District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
“Strongly condemn the burning of a Hindu temple by a mob in Karak Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.” tweeted Shireen Mazari. “KP govt must ensure culprits brought to justice.”
“MOHR also moving on this. We as a govt have a responsibility to ensure safety & security of all our citizens & their places of worship.” she added.
Strongly condemn the burning of a Hindu temple by a mob in Karak Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. KP govt must ensure culprits brought to justice. MOHR also moving on this. We as a govt have a responsibility to ensure safety & security of all our citizens & their places of worship.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 30, 2020
Videos of the incident were also posted on social media, showing large crowds gathered at the site of the incident, chanting slogans and tearing down the walls of the property. The matter has been trending on Twitter.
#BREAKING…A mob led by local clerics destroyed Hindu temple in Karak district of KP. Hindus obtained permission from the administration to extend the temple but local clerics arranged a mob to destroy the temple. Police & administration remained silent spectators @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/fL6J13YSGN
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) December 30, 2020
Shame on Indians and my own Pakistanis . In India #Mandsaur District Madhya Pradesh they Burnt a Mosque , In Pakistan #Karak KP they broke a Hindu Temple . As a Pakistani Hindu I condemn BOTH. Taking care of religious places of all religions is a fundamental right . pic.twitter.com/F0N03YAnLK
— Dewan Sachal (@essel1) December 30, 2020
Hindu tTmple Set Ablaze & Razed to the Ground by a Charged Mob Led by Clerics in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
— Syeda Mizrah Jilani 🌞 (@MizrahJilani) December 30, 2020
Perfect Example of "As You Sow Shall You Reap" 🙂#Islamophobia_in_india pic.twitter.com/I7iMQNveCk
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