Ravi Road is the main Entrance of Lahore from Shahdra,
Sheikhupura,
Gujranwala & Lahore Ring Road by Niazi Chowk (Batti Chowk), This temple is managed and maintained by the
Evacuee Trust Property Board (EPTB). The
Evacuee Trust Property Board had previously allocated a sum of
Rs 1.2 million in January 2005 for the renovation and extension of Krishna Mandir. The temple had been badly damaged in clashes that took place after the
demolition of the Babri Mosque in the city of
Ayodhya, in the state of
Uttar Pradesh, in
India on 6 December 1992. The website of the
Minorities Affairs Division of the Pakistan government states that the tender for the renovation and extension of the temple was awarded on 31 March 2005, and over half of the work had been completed by 30 June 2005. The temple was to be entirely restored by June 2006. EPTB officials reportedly concealed the fact that the structure had been a temple from the chairman to obtain his approval to allow the developer to demolish the structure. They reportedly moved a motion against the destruction, saying such an act could have a bearing on Pakistan's relations with neighboring countries. News of the demolition also evoked strong condemnation from in India from minority bodies and political parties, including the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the
Congress, as well as Muslim advocacy political parties such as the
All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat. Amid growing condemnation of the demolition of the only temple in Lahore, the Indian government said in June 2006 that it has 'taken up' the matter with the Pakistan High Commission.
Refutation and withdrawal of legal action On 15 June 2006, the
Foreign Office of Pakistan denied reports of the demolition as "incorrect and baseless", and confirmed that the temple is safe. It pointed out that the property that was demolished was several kilometers away from the temple.
Ejazul Haq,
Minister for Religious Affairs, said that the temple is in "perfect condition". He responded to remarks from BJP leader
L.K. Advani that minorities in Pakistan do not have
religious freedom, by inviting Advani to "visit Lahore and pray at the temple". Om Prakash Narayan, secretary-general of the
Pakistan Minority Welfare Council and a Hindu, had moved the
Lahore High Court on 16 June to stop construction on the website, and the court issued a stay order and requested the
Lahore Development Authority to provide information on the history of the site. By 30 June 2006, Narayan had withdrawn his writ, saying the temple was intact and he had filed the petition because of a misunderstanding. Narayan was reported as saying: "…after visiting the place and being told by the locals that there was no temple where the plaza was being constructed, I decided to file an application in the court to withdraw my petition against the federal secretary of Religious Affairs and Evacuee Property Trust Board (ETPB) chairman." ==See also ==