Attacks on places of worship of the minority communities have continued unabated in Pakistan, MEA said

Expressing grave concern at the "reprehensible attack" on a Hindu temple in Pakistan's Punjab province, India on Thursday summoned the Pakistan Charge d' Affaires and lodged a strong protest.

Hitting out at Pakistan, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said institutions in Pakistan have "stood idle and completely failed in protecting these institutions and places of worship".

A violent mob had attacked a temple in Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab, Pakistan on Wednesday.

Addressing the weekly media briefing, Bagchi said India had lodged a firm protest expressing grave concern at this reprehensible incident and the continued attacks on the freedom of religion of the minority community.

He described as "disturbing" reports in social media of the violent mob which attacked the Ganesha temple, desecrated the idols and set fire to the temple premises.

"Incidents of violence, discrimination and persecution against the minority communities including attacks on places of worship have continued unabated in Pakistan," the MEA spokesperson said.

He pointed out that within the last year itself, various temples and Gurudwaras have been attacked including the Mata Rani Bhatiyani Mandir in Sindh in January last year, Gurudwara Sri Janam Sthan in January last year, a Hindu temple in Karak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in December 2020.

These incidents were occueing at an alarming rate, Bagchi noted.