MEHRA: Temples not safe in Pak

Ferozepur, January 9, 2013: The National President of Akhil Bhartiya Khatri Mahasabha, Jatinder Mehra, in a letter written to President and the Prime Minister, has specifically mentioned that “The Hindu Temples in Pakistan are not safe”.

The fundamentalists have took possession of Arya Samaj Mandir in Jafarwal area of Sayalkot district in Pakistan and the family of Banarsi Lal looking after the mandir, situated on about 30 marla land is not only in a great shock but unsafe.

Mehra further said, OKAF Board is a supporter of Banarsi Dass family but they are not getting any security and  help from the local police administration and they getting threats from the fundamentalists to leave this place and move to India . 

Further, Mehra said, some years back, a dispensary was also opened on the land of the mandir and health department was making payment to OKAF Board in lieu of that and the management of Government Rural Dispensary has stopped making the payment of rent. A notice was also sent to the Health Department but there were no fruitful results and later on the Board allotted the entire land to Banarsi Lal.  He also said that OKAF Board has also called for the tenders for the auction of land. When there was no action by the Health Department by inviting of tenders, the Board finally decided to allot the land to Banarsi Lal on lease payment of Rs.1.50 lakh per year despite the fact that doctors of the dispensary tried to take possession of the land in March, 2012.

Mehra in a letter to the Prime Minister has demanded the direct intervention of President and Prime Minister for the safety of  the family of Banarsi Lal and get the land of the mandir released.