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Hindu temple wins first round fight over sale to mosque

Robbie KalusPeterborough
News imageEkta Patel Exterior of the temple building with a red door. Bharat Hindu Samaj is written in white at the top of the door entrance and there is an orange flag.Ekta Patel
The Bharat Hindu Samaj temple was established in 1986 and is used by worshippers from across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire

A Hindu community at risk of losing its temple has won the first round of a legal fight against the local authority.

Peterborough City Council has decided to sell the Bharat Hindu Samaj's temple building to an Islamic mosque group, a move Hindu worshippers are objecting to.

High Court judge Mr Justice Fordham has ordered a temporary injunction against the sale and the court will now decide what happens next, once the temple group and council have set out their cases in writing.

A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the legal action being pursued... and will now engage in the legal process."

Last month, councillors voted to sell the city's New England Complex, where the temple is based, in an effort to clear millions of pounds of debt.

After a secret bidding process, Hindu worshippers were told their bid had lost.

The council has repeatedly refused to disclose the identity of the buyer, but court documents seen by the BBC confirm it is the city's Khadija Mosque.

The council would not address this when approached by the BBC, but in a statement the mosque identified itself as the preferred bidder.

News imageBharat Hindu Samaj Members of the Hindu congregation standing in prayer. They are facing the priest in a white ceremonial outfit who is sitting next to pictures of Hindu gods.Bharat Hindu Samaj
The temple runs social and educational activities during the week, such as a lunch club and charity outreach work

A temple spokesperson said they had "no choice" but to apply for the injunction, adding that "we wanted a negotiated halt to proceedings, which would save us time and money".

The spokesperson criticised the council, arguing the authority had refused to engage with a negotiation, and accusing it of "acting in bad faith".

"Our fight isn't with the mosque; our fight is with the council," they added.

In a statement, the council added: "Council officers continue to liaise with all affected parties in this matter."

A representative of the mosque explained that due to ongoing legal proceedings "it would not be appropriate for us to comment on the detail at this stage".

"Our focus remains on acting responsibly, supporting community cohesion, and working constructively with the council and all affected parties," they said.

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Peterborough City Council