Hindu mandir controversy: Despite evidence, military official denies temple demolition
The Military Estate Office, which assisted a private builder in the demolition of a Hindu temple and houses in Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar, on Saturday continue to deny that the pre-partition house of worship was razed in the operation.
Despite debris lying all over the compound, the president’s notice and the angered Hindu community’s protests, Director of Military Lands and Cantonment Zeenat Ahmed insisted that the Shri Rama Pir Mandir has not been damaged.
“Of what I have been told by my people, the temple is still standing and is untouched,” she said. The director said that the deities were all in sound condition. “The people who had deities in their homes had deliberately put them in front of the debris of the damaged houses. This was done to present a wrong picture that the temple was destroyed.”
She said that the houses were encroachments and they were removed when a builder approached them to assist him in removing illegal occupants from his land. “The temple was already in a bad condition. The encroachers were asked to vacate the land but when they did not, action was taken against them. But the temple, which was already in bad shape, was not touched.”
Meanwhile, enraged members of the Hindu community said such statements only went further in hurting the sentiments of the minority. A resident of the area, Ashok Kumar, said that it was a joke that the police and some people were denying the demolition of the temple. “Our temple has been damaged but we are getting blamed for staging a drama.”
Sindh Vice Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Amarnath Motumal, said that it was condemnable that instead of reaching out to the affected people, the officials were refusing to admit what they had done.
“I have attended several events in the temple. Whether a temple is 30 years old or 100 years old, no one has the right to desecrate it. We will not tolerate this.”
Meanwhile, Ahmed retracted from her statement on Saturday regarding the temple being old grant property, and said that she has no knowledge about the ownership of the temple.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (78)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1725030039-0/Untitled-design-(2)1725030039-0-165x106.webp "article")
1725366721-0/kyle-(1)1725366721-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732697578-0/Untitled-design-(5)1732697578-0-270x192.webp "miss aini debuts as karachi s first ai teacher robot")
@LionOfPunjab: I totally agree with you. Indian army really cheated and by confusion the brave Pakistan army threw their weapon. I thought I was the only person present there to watch the truth. I am so happy you were also there. Welcome to my gang of truth diggers. One thing you have missed that it was namaz time and the Pakistan army, keeping their weapons aside, had closed there eyes for prayer when these cheats just picked up all the weapons of the brave. Shame on them for picking up 92000 weapons in one sweep. These coward Indians are shameless. I totally agree with you. Please publish these facts and move a motion in UNO for redressal. India must pay 9200000 dollars as compensation other wise they will be severely punished next time. By the way I am out of stock for opium. please send some.
@jugno
@Cynical
'Babri masjid was built on a temple site by Babar.'
Probably it was. But that is not relevant in context of my post you reffered to. Seems like, I couldn't get the message through. My fault, offcourse.
@Feroz:
Sir, ever heard of Sigmund Freud?
@LionOfPunjab: It would have been nice if you had named yourself "Loin of Punjab" after your brawny response to Raj-USA.
@zehra: Dear Zehra, many mosques and Imam Bargahs erected on encorached land have been razed, it remains a fact. In all religions, servitude to God from a usurped land is forbidden. I don't know if the temple was built on encroached land or not, but if it was, then worship was already unacceptable. And if it was a legitimate place of worship, then we all oppose.
@Cynical: Babri masjid was build on a temple site by Babar.
@VINOD: By God what are you saying
Before dawn there will be more darkness.
@Pakistani:
It is shameful for you to do a classic quid pro quo like that. You should be embarrassed of yourself. Fact of the matter is that us muslims have razed more temples in the entire history of sub-continent and what you have to say in response is Babri Masjid? How many scores are going to be leveled? If it was a mosque, mullahs go in streets breaking shops of innocent fellow citizens. Pakistan has become what the Quran and our prophet warned us for mankind not to become.
@LionOfPunjab: Yes, pronunciations and hearing properly does matter. I was told that Sadam Hussein attacked Kuwait because of what he was hearing in his childhood. He had a Nanny from Kerala. Whenever he used to cry, the Nanny would say "Keep Kuwaithu". This is how some in Kerala pronounce "Quiet". This thought was infused in his mind since childhood.
I hope my wife does not read this comment as she is from Kerala. Azizi (Hasb-e-Haal TV talk show): mere leye dua karein.
@LionOfPunjab: Love your comments. It is refreshing. I mean it and no sarcasm here.
RAW ,CIA,MOSSAD,BLACKSTONE conspiracy.
@Feroz: This is a federal govt dept and reports to Minister of Defence. If you have less information or some pers grudge than ask your relatives in army. Yes, army should tell the truth eg why Zardari was not allowed to visit Khuta as a minister/husband of PM, whats happening behind the scene politics and how much corruption they have done.
@Mirza
Director of Military Lands and Cantonment does not fall under the army. Please check your facts before you jump to conclusions.
This is shameful. I apologise to our Hindu community. Shame on those using the Babri Masjid incident to justify this. What do these poor Hindus in Karachi have to do with that demolition that happened 20 years ago? It is this hate-filled twisted thinking that has led us to this abyss. The military officer who seems to be living in a bizarro universe, and her superiors, should be taken to task. They reflect the culture of impunity which has now permeated Pakistan, particularly against minorities
@Raj – USA:
Get your facts right buddy. Our army was tricked by hindu army, here is the real story according to our truth worthy tiger niazi and yahya. The indian general came to meet our general and said that the indian army will surrender to our brave khakis but there was condition, all soldiers will stand facing each other holding their weapons. When a signal is given the hindu soldiers will surrender their weapon to our brave soldier in front of them. When the time came for surrender ritual, the indian general played his 'chankyaniti'..he said in hushed tone, jokingly to our brave soldiers, "Are you ready to surrender pakistanis?"..after which he yelled loudly, who is in charge of your army, all the khakis yelled in unison Yahya..which sounded more like "Ya YA". After hearing this the indian soldiers and most of the pakistani soldiers thought it meant "Ya Ya" we (pakistani) surrender. Amid the confusion the indian soldiers grabbed the weapons of the semi-confused pakistani soldier! And india declared victory and announced to the world that we had surrender. That my friend is true history. Think about it, wouldnt we have punished niazi and 'yaya' khan after '71 war, if they had indeed surrenders?
@Aryabhat: Alone How many Muslims Killed by the Hindu Nazi Terrorist Narendra Modi in 3 days ( 2000) , Not 10% of those equivalent any Minority Killed In Pakistan since 1947. So Close your mouth and take a Hike. OBL was Saudi. Have you ever protested with Saudi Arabia? let me tell you that you Hindu Hypocrites will never do it else they will Kick your rears and throw you out of their land Plus they will stop your Oil supply. Go show them muscles. Osama was Saudi. It doesn't matter where He was Found. By the way, can You produce any evidence that he was captured? Or we have to believe it as You want us to believe that Kasab was captured Killing Karkare? Everybody Knows that Karkare was uncovering some of the big names involved in Samjhota Express , Col. prohit Gang and those within Indian army. He was killed by Snipers. Go fool those who can . Hindu Regime is the No. 1 Terrorist Nation in Asia. You got protection right now through your Masters who have been defeated now in Afghanistan, Just like your previous Masters, The Soviets. Afghans will take care of your Hindu and Terrorist RAW once your Master's Umbrella is lifted of your Hindu Head. Just Like what happened after Soviets' withdrawl. THEN all these stories will be revealed. Enjoy your Terrorist Life until then.
@Zalmai: I still remember the day when I read the news of destruction of Bamyan Bhudda to my Afghani friend. His eyes became watery and his voice choked. Many or most Afghanis had deep attachment for the Banyan Bhuddas. They were proud of the Bamyan Bhuddas.
@Singh: No. I strongly oppose your suggestion that there is need for more Babri Masjid incidences . For Hindus and others, the God lives in their hearts and deeds and destruction of Temple, though hurts their sentiments does not affect heir beliefs.
Another shameful act of media. The Temple is still untouched and they demolished only encroachments. They are actually land grabbers. Read the true story here: http://www.ibnezia.com/2012/12/DoliKhataTemple.html
@rahim khan: You say: As long as any Masjid or Quran is not touched, everything is ok in Pakistan.You say:
You are so wrong. In the recent times and for over a decade, 90% of the mosques that were destroyed or religious sanctity violated throughout the world were in Pakistan and they were all destroyed by Pakistani muslims. This is true even in Kashmir.
In the recently exposed false blasphemy charge on the Christian, it was the Muslim cleric who tore up and burnt Quran.
I think more Babri mosque need to go to teach Ummah a lesson for tolerance. Without strong action they can not learn how to live. Every now & then they need 1971 to keep quiet for another 20 yr. POST IT.
What will happen ultimately is that all those who destroyed the Temple in contempt of the High Court order will be free and the Hindus protesting will be jailed or even killed for making a false complaint. Some blasphemy charges may also be filed on them, for instance someone will come up that some objects in the Temple resembled Islamic objects. When issue of forced conversions came out, Maya Khan staged a live conversion. Ansar Brunei said he would take up the matter in the court but is not heard since then. Zardari may have half hearted good intentions but everyone in Pakistan will cover it up and build a case to blame the Hindus. He may have called for a report but you won't hear him following it up, just the same way as the Commission set up to probe the atrocities has become silent. Many decades of teachings in school text books and homes can never be changed. It will continue this way. In the days of print media these could be hidden but in the days of electronic media, cell phone cameras, everything comes out.
As long as any Masjid or Quran is not touched, everything is ok in Pakistan.
Sad commentary on the state of affairs in the land of the pure. Even the draconian laws of the Taliban in Afghanistan did not condone the desecration of temples in Afghanistan with the exception of the Bamyan Buddha, which was carried out by agents of the Taliban puppet masters.
I am overcome by sheer revulsion for those that present a counter narrative about Babri Masjid to justify this shameless act.
This lady Zeenat Ahmad's remarks are ridiculous and baseless. She is quoted as saying:
" “The people who had deities in their homes had deliberately put them in front of the debris of the damaged houses. This was done to present a wrong picture that the temple was destroyed.”
Why would Hindu worshippers -- and particularly the priest -- do such an irrational and insane thing when we know that this would be tantamount to sacrilege? Isn't the response of this woman the typical "denial and deception" attitude of Pakistanis that have brought them into disrepute worldwide as liars, cheaters, hate-mongers and violent extremists? Such a universal condemnation of Pakistanis is, however, unfair to those who are decent, tolerant and just. And it is to these individuals, even though they are few in numbers, to raise their voice against this unjust persecution of minorities. This will be a blot on those good people of Pakistan who want to see a progressive, stable and peaceful country which some people, including this woman Zeenat Ahmad, are giving a bad name. Would it not be in the interest of the nation, not just the Hindu minority community, to prosecute this woman for spreading such lies? Is there no provision in Pakistani law that can be invoked to prosecute a government official who is lying through the teeth? And, of course, the perpetrators, including the property developers, need to be brought to justice too. Many of us in America do hope that Pakistan, despite the stone-age mentality of many of its people, has a legal mechanism to protect the interests of the highly fragile religious minorities, including their right to worship.
@USMAN786: "Military lands dept does not work under army". What you are saying is that Military land department is a private body unconnected with the Military. Do you think the military will allow me to open a store and call it "Military Canteen Store" ? Does not the Military report to the Defense Minister ? If not, since this is a matter of land, does the Revenue department report to the Defense Minister ?
“The people who had deities in their homes had deliberately put them in front of the debris of the damaged houses. This was done to present a wrong picture that the temple was destroyed.” Simply brilliant! And so consistent - deny, deny, deny!
@roshan wadhwani: Pls grow up.. one incident cannot be blamed on pakistan as a whole... if there is a murder in India... does that make india a murderous nation... or for that matter any other country in the world...
The Military Estate Officer says "Of what I have been told by my people, the temple is still standing and is untouched,” How big her state that she could not go herself to see. The theory of Denial has been turned into a great art by practice in Pakistan. Now no one believes what they say.
@Raj - USA: And yes - there was no babri masjid....
extremism everywhere
Liar liar pants on fire!
@True picture: "not even a single dust particle on them hmmm" You must have fantastic eyesight. Do you wear specs or used a "made in pakistan magnifying glass?
@Shahzad: Who is the Defense Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, a retired Lt. General right ? Lies upon lies, denials upon denials, there will never be an end to it, until the end comes.
Only a blind man can say the temple isn't destroyed. So who is blind?
@zoro:
Good point. Babri "masjid" was an old, dilapidated and abandoned structure. It was at the most a 15th century version of ground zero mosque Babar had build to celebrate his ghazwa.
We stand with Hindu Community of Pakistan and will make all out efforts to proetct their right of worship as per best traditions of Islam. However, Express Tribute should have some shame while making headlines that Military Officials have d...enied. For information of all, Military Estate Office does not come under Army Headquarters and is an Institution comes under Federal Government through Ministery of Defence. Let us not blame military for all wrong doings
@zoro:
oh come on ..what happend here is sad...and as a patriotic muslim and Pakistan I condemn that....LEARN TO ACCEPT YOUR MISTAKES...ACCEPT THAT YOU DESTROYED BABRI MOSQUE...and learn to find a solution in the future....
@Pakistani, popsaeed You guys really have a sense of history. In 2 more days, it would be the 20th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. India and Indians have realized the uselessness of bringing religion into politics/public life and are trying to move on. Mosques built in other holy cities like Varanasi (One of the holiest places for Hindus, just like Mecca for you guys) after demolishing parts of temples by the great ghazi Aurangzeb continue to operate freely and aren't seen as an issue any more. And they shouldn't be. History, distasteful as parts of it may be, needs to be seen as history. We can't fight battles of the past again.
But I guess Babri masjid will always be an issue for Pakistanis - to be invoked every time they need to justify an atrocity, and every day brings forward a new one. I believe a church was burnt and a temple vandalized on 'love the prophet' day. Abductions of women from Hindu community are also frequently reported. Muharram processions keep getting bombed, and some really devout people vandalized a grave yard yesterday (bravo!). But I guess all this is justified. You guys really put the correct perspective on the whole thing.
@Mirza: Military lands dept does not work under army. It works under Ministry of Defence. Donot blame others if you have little knowledge. Babri masjid was build by those who were more close to Hindus of that time!!!
Yeah Right! Osama was not in Pakistan and Kasab was not a Pakistani! Correct?
This country at the front line in protesting Rohingya minority in Burma is doing what to its own minorities? Ahmedi graves desecrated, Hindu temples destroyed and Christians killed in Police custody - all in just one week....
What a hypocratic society!
@Pakistani:
Sad that you should justify it. One wrong cannot be used as an excuse for another wrong.
I was recently in one of the border states of India and thanked god that the hindus there remained resilient in the face of mughal/turk aggression - and the place remained hindu majority and stayed in india and thankfully we can marvel at historic monuments of yester years. I am not a religious person - but I would vote for an inclusive hindu culture anytime.
@Pakistani: It is a shameful act and no one can deny that. Demolition of Babri Mosque does not mean that we commit a henious crime like demolition of Mandir... A verbal apology is not sufficient and I think law enforcement agencies (if they are still law enforcers...) should force the builder who demolished the Mandir to rebuild it.
@Ali: Agree with you.
In addition; The Temple would have been on encroached land. Now, Government must provide a new space and also help in construction as well.
Oh God, Toleration has gone away ...
@Raj - USA: The army never surrendered in Dacca!!!! In Pakistan truth is the casualty especially when the armed forces are involved. The Army runs the biggest businesses in Pakistan so to them a Temple has no business being in their way when they want to build more commercial plazas. Just sickening.
Why ? This is so embarassing ! Now rebuild it and give it back to them. This is ridiculous. I apologise to every one and the hindu community in Pakistan ! This is so sad. :/
@Pakistani
CERTAINLY NOT , have a look at Express tribune itself
http://tribune.com.pk/story/381884/religious-intolerance-hindu-temple-vandalised-in-peshawar/
_
Here are Few more of the Thousands Runied Exploited illegally occupied and destructed _
Araya Temple, Nawanshehr area, Abbottabad (ruined/under illegal occupation) Shiva Temple and Dusehra House (old)- Abbottabad (ruined/under illegal occupation) Krishna Temple (old)--Abbottabad (destroyed/no building longer exists) Shiva Temple (former, now a public library)-- Mansehra town (no longer a temple) Kali Mandir - Dera Ismail Khan (illegally occupied being used as a hotel)
@ Pakistani Babri masjid was just a structure and there was no quran inside ... not a single muslim worshiped there as it had mandir besides ... it was just a structure which was called masjid... Upraise urself Mr Pakistani.. Dont go on what Pakistani and Indian politicians / newspaper say ....
Shameful
@Nitin Gandhi: If tomorrow world claims there was no pakistan,how would they react to it ? Certainly nobody but the govt and army who r soft towards militants will wipe pakistan out of world map sooner than later.Will the people agree to the non existing pakistan claim ?
Kudos to all Pakistanis who condemned this act of grave injustice. Hope, the members of Saffron brigade learn something from it.
@Pakistani
@Nitin Gandhi: yes another shameful act after Babri mosque…
O.K. Now cool down. The score is level. Now go hope and pray, that it never happens again, neither here nor there.
@popsaeed: "@Nitin Gandhi: same as like Babri masjid"
Good to know. So will the Muslim journalists in Pakistan be calling this incident as a black spot even 20 years later the way Hindu journalists in India do? Do you expect that 20 years later the builder will still be fighting a court case to use the land where he demolished a temple - because that is the situation with regards to the temple construction? Do you expect serial bombing in Karachi the way it occurred in Mumbai in retaliation? Do you expect a 60 Hajj pilgrims to be burnt alive by Hindus in Pakistan 10 years later in retaliation for this temple wreckage, the way it happened in Godhara?
I condemned the Babri demolition - no Ifs and Buts. Are you willing to do the same here?
in pakistan this has become a routine affair now....churches,temples all destroyed....what a shameless nation
If temple was destroyed then how come the deities are not damaged, not a single scratch! or maybe its a miracle that the whole temple was destroyed & all these things remained safe inside, not even a single dust particle on them hmmm. and for all the non-Pakistanis in here, there have been many incidents where mosques were partly demolished, so please don't even comment if you are not aware of the things in Pakistan. On the other hand Baburi mosque demolition was seen as the right of Indian government & it happened for real unlike this incident.
It doesn't look destroyed to me
This is really very sad. we must always respect all religious places. Government should pay attention and arrange remedy for it on urgent basis.
Finally people would realize who are the actual culprits behind the injustices against minorities.
Politics and Business interests...
A pathetic act. The Govt. should rebuild the temple as soon as possible.
Not surprising.OBL,26/11 mumbai,even Balochistan kill-and-dump have been denied by the same people.Easiest thing to do in Pakistan and hence Pak has no credibility internationally and reason why Pakistanis cannot be simply allowed to enter other countries anywhere
Military taking revenge of ‘71 form these helpless Hindus? How manly.
Military has nothing to do with the activities of a civil bureaucrat called Military Estate Officer. These officers and the department he heads are the extension of the same bureaucracy which you see in Water board, Municipal Offices or estate offices. Military bashing has become a fun for media, bench and bar. Controvercy creates cash for them.
I am really surprised to see it that minorities do have full rights to perform their religious rituals and rejection/refusal/denial of the visual and pictorial realities especially after demonstrated before the world thru media... Is this real and welfare Islamic Republic of Pakistan where every non-muslim is safe and does have full rights to perform his/her religious rituals?????
Pakistani army is the most authentic party in Pakistan and they have never lied in the past. Let us all believe them irrespective of the fabricated pictures. The army enterprise has never been in real estate or any other money making business. This is a conspiracy against the country and its armed forces. All minorities are safe and sound in Pakistan and are living in peace and harmony.
This is our Pakistan...Cruel and Shameless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Military assisted a private builder in demolition activity by providing security cover of Rangers and Police. Land grabbing using official clout and a disdain for Law.
but tell if a masjid was made on encroached land would you have demolished that>?so why a temple? disgusting
@Nitin Gandhi: yes another shameful act after Babri mosque...
OBL was never in Pakistan and there is no such house in Abattobad where he was claimed to be staying. So, is this Temple. There was never a Temple there.
Another shameful act...