Priya Aditi
Dawn reported that the Hindu community in Karachi awoke on Saturday to discover their 150-year-old holy shrine Mari Mata Temple demolished in Soldier Bazaar.
According to eyewitnesses, the operation occurred late on Friday night while the area lacked electricity. When they arrived, the diggers and bulldozers completed the task. They demolished the entire interior structure but preserved the outer ramparts and the main gate.
According to Dawn, residents reported seeing a police vehicle providing ‘cover’ for the individuals operating the bulldozers and other equipment.
Dawn is a Pakistani tabloid that was first published in 1941.
They claim that the Mari Mata Temple is located on Mukhi Chohitram Road, very close to the Soldier Bazaar police station.
Shri Ram Nath Mishra Maharaj of the nearby Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman Mandir, another very ancient temple, informed Dawn, “It is a very ancient Mandir.”
Additionally, he stated, “It was reportedly constructed over 150 years ago. We have also heard tales of ancient treasures concealed in its courtyard,” adding that it spanned between 400 and 500 square yards and that the encroachers had been eyeing it for some time, as reported by Dawn.
“The Mandir was under the management of the Madarsi Hindu community of Karachi, and since it was said that it was a very old and dangerous structure that could collapse at any moment, the Mandir management reluctantly but temporarily relocated the majority of their deities to a small room near the storm water train until they could renovate the structure,” he added.
He added, “However, the Mari Mata Mandir was just destroyed last night.”
Meanwhile, a member of the Madrasi Hindu group claimed that Imran Hashmi and Rekha AKA Nagin Bai were forcing them to flee. There was also talk of the two individuals selling the temple to a third party for 70 million Pakistani Rupees (PKR), with the purchasers intending to construct a commercial structure there. There was also mention of fraudulent documents in the name of a specific Navaid, which facilitated the conversion of the amenity plot’s lease to a commercial lease.
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Dawn reported that the community has demanded that the Pakistan-Hindu Council, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and Inspector General of the Sindh Police investigate the incident promptly.
