Author: Yudhvir Rana
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 2, 2012
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Temple-demolition-in-Karachi-Hindus-react-angrily/articleshow/17451985.cms

The demolition of a century-old Hindu temple in Karachi on Saturday by a builder has triggered large-scale protests by the Hindu community in Pakistan.

 While condemning the demolition of the temple, Pakistan's former federal minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney has demanded strict action against the builder and safety for the Hindu minority community of Pakistan.

 While talking to TOI over phone from Karachi on Sunday Burney informed that a builder allegedly demolished a century-old Sri Rama Pir Mandir situated at Soldier Bazar in Karachi and also razed down couple of adjoining houses due to which about three dozen people were rendered homeless.

 Burney, however, said the builder not only demolished the temple but in a blasphemous act, his workers also showed disrespect to the idols of Hindu deities placed inside the temple.

 He said some people, owing allegiance to the builder, physically hurt few Hindu minority community members. "Everyone should be free to practise his religion and it is the duty of government to ensure the safety and security of minorities living in Pakistan," Burney said.

 The builder's demolition team arrived on Saturday morning when many of the Hindu families were busy in their daily chorus including preparing breakfast etc. "I fear many of them have to sleep without any shelter for nights together," he said.

 Of late, many Hindu families of Pakistan had migrated to India due to alleged persecution and humiliation on the hands of Muslim fundamentalists. "The builder claims that the land, where the temple is constructed have been encroached upon, even if it is so, the builder should not have demolished the temple as a good humanitarian gesture," Burney said.