Ram Leela Temple in Dera Ismail Khan sealed amid demolition fears

The authorities in Pakistan on Saturday locked and sealed the historic Ram Leela Temple in Rahim Bazaar days after civil society activists intervened to stop the demolition of the heritage building for the construction of a commercial plaza at the site.

The building had earlier been sealed by Assistant Commissioner Hamid Siddiq following public protests and work at the site was stopped, said local sources.

The latest development came as civil society representatives and members of the Hindu community held a joint meeting to discuss the reported move to demolish the temple.

The participants condemned the proposed construction and called on elected representatives to raise the issue in the National Assembly.

The meeting, held at the office of civil society president Sohail Ahmed Azmi, was attended by former MPA and Hindu community representative Kishore Kumar, social worker Muhammad Nauman and others.

The participants said the Ram Leela Temple was among around 400 buildings in Dera Ismail Khan identified as cultural heritage properties by the Evacuee Trust Property Board.

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They expressed concern over any move to demolish the temple and said civil society, the business community, writers and heritage advocates would resist any action that could damage the city’s historical heritage.

The participants also alleged that the relevant authorities had allowed construction of a commercial plaza at the site despite questions over their legal authority to do so.

They called for an inquiry into the matter and said complaints would be submitted to the district administration, the NA speaker, the archaeology department and other relevant authorities.