Hindu temple in Islamabad

It refers to the construction of the first-ever Hindu temple in Pakistan capital Islamabad halted under pressure of Islamic fundamentalists when Pakistani Prime Minister instead of approving Rs 100 million as recommended by Pakistani Ministry of Religious Affairs for construction of temple, cremation-ground and community-centre at the 20,000 square-feet plot, has now referred the matter to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for advice. Islamabad has 3,000 Hindu-population, which was even ready to construct the temple without government aid. Boundary wall started to be built was broken by a teenager fundamentalist alone.

Interestingly those opposing construction of the temple as against spirit of Islam, strongly favour five wine-shops in the city where liquor can be sold in Pakistan only to minority communities of Hindus and Christians. Evidently majority Muslims in Pakistan enjoy drinking through their contacts in Hindu and Christian communities. This exposes real face of Islamic fundamentalists in Pakistan who do not like construction of Hindu temple in the city but ensure wine-shops for Hindus for their own indirect use. If these elements are truly Islamic, then they should ensure closure of wine-shops in Pakistan as against the spirit of Islam.

It is regretting that the trust responsible for old temples and gurudwaras now closed for long is not chaired by any Hindu. Likewise, Ministry for Minority-Affairs in Pakistan which was once traditionally under a non-Muslim is now under charge of a Muslim minister with Pakistan Hindu Council demanding both these posts to be given to minority Hindus.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Dariba, Chandni Chowk

DELHI 110006