CHAKWAL: Apparently the claims of both the federal and the provincial government regarding the protection of religious sites of minorities stand further apart from reality than one might expect.

Take the instance of Katas Raj Temples’ Complex, one of the holiest sites of Hindus across the world, which has effectively turned into a grazing point for animals, Dawn has learnt.

The Punjab government spent 10 million rupees to construct a boundary wall around the holy site, a renovation project worth Rs30 million was also completed recently; however, not a single watchman has been appointed to look after the temples.

Making the most of the situation, the villagers of the area have started bringing their animals to the main gate of Katas Raj and direct them to go inside.

After leaving their animals inside the premises of the holy site, the shepherds themselves returns home, while the unsupervised animals graze the grounds throughout the day.

The cattle at the temples not only desecrate the holy site, but also contaminate it with their waste.

Meanwhile, both of the concerned departments – Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Punjab Archaeology Department – have been unable to find a permanent solution to the problem.

During Shivratri, or whenever a Hindu delegation comes from the India, both the department make hectic efforts to show that the site is being preserved properly, but during the rest of the year the temple remains at the mercy of these animals.

“It is very painful for us,” lamented Ravindar Kumar, a local Hindu.

He said that he had sent multiple requests to the concerned authorities to appoint a permanent watchman at the temples, but all in vain.

Talking to Dawn, Amarnath Randhawa, the president of Hindu Sudhar Sabha in Lahore, expressed serious concerns over the plight of Katas Raj.

“The presence of animals at our holy site is highly deplorable and condemnable,” he said, urging the concerned departments to take immediate action to fix the problem.

“A Hindu watchman should be appointed permanently at Katas Raj, because only a Hindu man can look after the site properly,” he said.

When contacted, ETPB Deputy Secretary Azhar Sulheri claimed that the temples had been handed over Punjab Archaeology Department; therefore it was their responsibility to look after the site.

However, when the attention of Punjab Archaeology Department Deputy Director Afzal Khan was drawn to the matter, he expressed shock and said, “Such kind of situation should not be witnessed at Katas Raj,” and claimed that he would look into the matter.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2014