Hindu community demands temple fund

The Hindu lawmakers and civil society have announced to meet Islamic Ideological Council (IIC) Chairman and officials of political and religious parties on the issue of construction of a temple in Islamabad.

They also demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to release promised funds for the construction of their worship site. MNA Lal Chand Malhi said that the constitution granted them complete religious freedom, adding that they wanted to vanquish Modi’s Hindutva ideology by promoting a positive image of Pakistan.

Further, the Hindu community members maintained that there was no community centre, cremation ground, and a proper worship site for them in Islamabad. They were of the view that the construction of a temple in the federal capital would defeat the Hindutva ideology of Indian Premier.

The community members said that the prime minister promised a grant of Rs 100 million for the temple that should be fulfilled. A Human Rights Commission (HRC) Member Krishan Sharma said that around 3,000 Hindus families lived in Islamabad and on its outskirts. He added that they lacked a proper site where they could celebrate religious events such as Holi and Diwali or organise weddings or funerals.

Sharma expressed that it was neither a religious nor a political issue but the construction of a temple was a social requirement. The member said that the people of Islamabad were supporting them morally while they were ready to hear reservations of those who objected to it.