There is a temple of Lord Ram in the New England Complex of Peterborough city, about 120 kilometers from London. Peterborough City Council has sold this complex to an organization named United Kingdom Islamic Mission on 10 February in the year 2026 itself. People of Hindu community of Peterborough City had expressed strong objection to this decision of the council. Now the Hindu community has reached the UK High Court regarding this matter.
This temple named ‘Bharat Hindu Samaj’ was established 40 years ago in the New England Complex. According to The Telegraph, it was founded in 1986 by Hindu families who were expelled from Uganda by dictator Idi Amin in 1972. This is the only Hindu temple within the radius of 35 miles 56.32 kilometers.
What do the temple trustees allege against the council?
Peterborough City Council had decided to sell this building in 2025 to repay the debt of about £ 500 million i.e. Rs 6,440 crore. The trustees of BHS Temple say that they were in talks with the council for 10 years to buy this complex. They had also made an offer of 1.3 million pounds i.e. Rs 16.3 crore to Peterborough Council.
The trustees of the temple say that on February 10, the council decided to sell it to UKIM. Peterborough Council bought the Khadija Mosque, which is part of UKIM, by bidding New England Complex for 1.4 million pounds (about Rs 18 crore). However, after opposition from the Hindu community, this decision was sent back to the cabinet. But, there too the decision of Peterborough Council was upheld. However, the Hindu community reached the High Court and got the Peterborough Council’s decision stayed.
Bharat Hindu Samaj’s legal team argues that the council’s process was illegal. The council has violated the ‘Equality Act 2010’. He also says that the closure of the temple will have a very bad impact on the Hindu community. However, in response, council barrister Catherine Rowlands told the court that the sale of the premises was conducted through a transparent, fair and legal bidding process.
What does the Muslim side have to say?
At the same time, the Khadija Mosque group says that their almost 40-year-old space is now too small and they want to build a unity center with prayer places, classrooms and sports facilities. Both sides believe that this dispute should not be seen as one religion versus another. However, not only is the legal battle going on between the two communities, the tension is also increasing.
Looking for other options for the temple
Council leader Shabina Qayyum said in a statement to ‘The Telegraph’ that she is aware that this sale has caused a lot of concern and distress in the Hindu community. But they were assured that they would not be allowed to become homeless. He said officials are working with BHS to look for another location. At the same time, the trustees of the temple say that no right option has been given till now.
‘Only one temple in the city and that too is being snatched away’
The Hindu community of India says that there are 19 mosques in the city. There are more than 100 churches. This is the only Hindu temple within a radius of 50 kilometers. The question that should be asked of Peterborough City Council is, why is their only Hindu temple being removed and given to another religion, which already has 19 other places to visit?
5 out of 10 council members are Muslims
There is another reason to question Peterborough Council. In fact, out of 10 members of the council, including Chairman Shabina Qayyum, 5 come from the Muslim community. In such a situation, in a hushed voice, Bharat Hindu Samaj has also accused the Council of discriminating against them.
Hindu community is a minority in Peterborough city.
The total population of Peterborough city is approximately 2,25,000. According to the 2021 UK census, Muslims constitute 12.2% of the city’s population, up from 9.4% a decade ago. Whereas the share of Hindus is 1.8%, whereas in 2011 it was 1.5%. That means Hindu community is clearly a minority here. In such a situation, the Hindu community also argues that its sentiments should be taken care of and the only temple present in the city should be allowed to remain in its place.
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