India on January 3 strongly condemned acts of vandalism at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
Also read: Gurdwara Nankana Sahib ‘untouched and undamaged,’ says Pak govt
The Ministry of External Affairs called upon the Government of Pakistan to ensure protection of the gurdwara, which was targeted by a mob during January 3 afternoon that reportedly threw stones and whipped up communal frenzy in the area near the place of worship. "We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welcome of the members of the Sikh community. Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in disecration of the holy Gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," said the press statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
An agitated mob from a nearby area pelted the gurdwara with stones after a dispute broke out over the alleged abduction and conversion of a Sikh girl., who was kidnapped from her home in Nankana Sahib, which hosts a part of the Sikh community of Pakistan.
The issue drew attention of Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh who appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure safety of the gurdwara. "I appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan to immediately intervene to ensure that the devotees stranded in Gurudwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic Gurudwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it," said Chief Minister Singh in a social media message.
Earlier a series of videos shot by local Sikhs showed large number of people agitating over the fate of the lady and threatening the gurdwara. A person who claimed to be related to her claimed in the video that he was beaten up and was asked to divorce her and he had refused saying that he would prefer the court to decide the matter.
