India takes up temple demolition issue with Pak

India has taken up this issue at a 'sufficiently senior level' with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Amid growing condemnation in New Delhi of the demolition of the only temple in Lahore, government on Thursday said it has 'taken up' the matter with Pakistan.

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"We have seen media reports of the demolition of the Krishna temple and this matter has been taken up with the Pakistani authorities," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi.

Without giving details, he said the matter had been taken up at a "sufficiently senior level" with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

News reports from Pakistan said the country's Evacuee Trust Property Board, which administers historical shrines of religious minorities there, had allowed a jeweller to demolish Lahore's Krishna Mandir -- the last Hindu temple in that city -- to build a commercial establishment in its place.

Leader of Opposition and BJP leader LK Advani on Wednesday condemned the demolition, a view echoed by several of his party leaders.

India and Pakistan have a strong commitment to protect the minority shrines in their countries.