மாபெரும் இந்துகோவிலை கார் ரிப்பேர் கடையாக்கிய பாகிஸ்தான் அரசு

மாபெரும் இந்துகோவிலை கார் ரிப்பேர் கடையாக்கியுள்ளது பாகிஸ்தான் அரசு.

Hindu temple converted into auto workshop

KARACHI: Rusted broken iron bars, scratched plasters, wrecked fences and cars parked outside for repairs are the sights at the century-old Ratan Talha Hindu temple, once known for its beautiful architecture.

The Auqaf department leased this historic temple to a private party that converted the temple into an auto-workshop. The workshop owner has converted the temple’s main worship area into a storeroom and has restricted the local Hindus from visiting the temple for worship. The temple is located on Ratan Street, near the Preedy police station.

The temple is spread over an acre with two-storey buildings surrounding it from three sides, built for pundits and guests. A courtyard for public gatherings is located in the center and on one side is a worship area made with iron bars.

“The Auqaf department has allowed the private parties to insult the temple by converting it into a workshop. There is no gate at the main entrance and the wild animals entering the temple upset us the most,” said Sindh Hindu Council General Secretary Maharaj DM.

According to the secretary, the council has repeatedly contacted Auqaf officials for retaining the possession of the temple for renovation work, but has been refused.

Former SHC Minority MPA Bheery Mal Balani said that the workshop owner has taken over the Dharamshala for which he pays only a few hundred rupees to the Auqaf as rent.

“Auqaf officials sold the 14 shops in the temple and kept a small land for the temple that is also used by the workshop,” said Balani. He informed that the workshop owner restricts Hindus from visiting the temple.

Abdul Qayum, the workshop owner, said that he leased the temple two decades ago and had no knowledge of it being a temple, as there were no statues of gods and goddesses when he received it from the Auqaf department.

The owner claimed that he has not restricted anyone from visiting the temple building. amar guriro