Bangladesh Hindu Sammilon Sangha on Saturday blasted Pakistani officials for sealing the Ramlila Temple, a 350‑year‑old site in Dera Ismail Khan’s Rahim Bazaar. The move follows earlier protests that saw Assistant Commissioner Hamid Siddiq order a closure after the public outcry over a planned commercial plaza.
The temple, a linchpin of the local Hindu community, has long stood as a testament to centuries of faith in a Muslim‑majority province. Families who gather there for Ramlila performances fear that their rituals will be silenced if the site is converted into shops.
Civil society activists in the city convened a joint meeting with Hindu community leaders, voicing opposition to the demolition plans. Dawn reports that the gathering urged elected representatives to raise the issue in the national assembly, stressing that the move threatens religious freedom and heritage.
In its statement, the Sammilon Sangha demanded that Pakistani authorities “immediately ensure the security of this historic temple, permanently halt all attempts to build a commercial complex, and restore the right to conduct religious practices.” It also called for punitive action against those behind the sealing.
The group appealed to the international community to amplify pressure on Pakistan, framing the incident as a broader assault on minority rights. The next step will see the Sammilon Sangha lobby UN human‑rights bodies while Pakistani officials face mounting scrutiny from both domestic protestors and foreign observers.