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UK Hindu Temple Wins 1st Round Fight Over Sale To Mosque But Needs Donations

HHR March 4, 2026 Archives, Global Hindus, Hinduphobia, News updates, Spirituality/Culture, World Focus No Comments

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.

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. — 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. –

Robbie Kalus – Peterborough

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Bharat Hindu Samaj – Legal Fund

Help us save our temple and protect our community home

For nearly 40 years, the Temple at the New England Complex has been the heart of Hindu & Indian cultural life in Peterborough. Since 1986, The Bharat Hindu Samaj (BHS) has over 17,000 regular worshippers and visitors from across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire,

This is where our children learn their culture.
Where our elders find companionship.
Where families celebrate festivals & mark pivotal moments in their lives.
Where comfort is sought to mourn losses.
Where we offer a support structure to the wider community through health, education and mental support programmes.

This Community Centre & Mandir is our home and today, that home is at risk

How we reached this point:

For over a decade, BHS has been negotiating with Peterborough City Council (who own the complex) to secure a permanent home for the community. This entailed the Council issuing and agreeing to several Head of Terms and then going back on their word; Most recently in April 2025 we were offered the opportunity to purchase the complex for £1.3 million, which we agreed to proceed with. Our community fundraised tirelessly and submitted a £1.3 million bid in good faith to proceed with this purchase.

Everything changed in September 2025

In September 2025, during our Navratri celebrations the Labour led coalition in charge of Peterborough City Council decided to U-turn on all these past negotiations and promises, and gave us a short-timeframe (2-weeks) to submit a best and final offer along with other interested parties using an evaluation framework weighted 70% financial, 20% social value and 10% deliverability/future benefit. A weighting that is usually only applicable to commercial property transactions, not community groups.

In December 2025, on completion of the above process the Council’s Cabinet selected an alternative bidder. which we now understand through court documents to be the Masjid Khadijah & Islamic Centre of Khadijah Mosque. This results in the future scenario of one faith group being the owner of a premises (landlord) that another faith group resides in (tenant).

In January 2026, with support from a number of helpful local councillors the Council’s own Scrutiny Committee were asked to intervene. They found:

The Cabinet did not have full information when deciding to sell.
The Equality Impact Assessment was desk‑based only, with no consultation with the Hindu community.
The Cabinet should pause the sale.
The existing tenant (BHS) should not be displaced without securing a new home.

Even councillors said it would be “unforgivable” to force out a long‑standing community.

In February 2026, the Cabinet reconvened — and chose to still proceed with the sale anyway, with no real consideration given to the Council’s legal responsibility and how the Peterborough Hindu community has been discriminated against and marginalised. At the meeting we were given empty promises that we would be ‘supported’ following this. No support from the council as yet has materialised.

For many worshippers, this is devastating. It feels like our history, our contributions to the local community, and our cultural home are simply being dismissed in return for a few extra pounds.

The Bharat Hindu Samaj Legal Battle: The High Court steps in

On 27 February 2026, through volunteer-led legal proceedings the High Court has issued an interim injunction preventing the Council from taking any irreversible steps to sell the site. The Judge noted concerns about the council’s transparency and the potential risk that the legal challenge could be undermined. This injunction only protects us for a short timeframe.

But the legal fight has only just begun

Bharat Hindu Samaj needs to raise £86,000

We are now pursuing a legal action to fully challenge the Council’s decision making process to sell the complex which our legal experts believe to be unfair, unlawful and to ensure the previous promises the Council has made are honoured.

Your donation will help fund:

Specialist public law solicitors and barristers
Court fees and evidence preparation
Compliance with urgent court directions

As a volunteer‑run organisation we will not give up this fight, however we cannot do this alone and Need Your Support.

This Is Bigger Than One Mandir

If a Hindu Temple & Community Centre with 40 years of tenancy and proven community benefit, that is the nearest temple within a 35-mile radius can be pushed aside for a small one-off short-term financial gain, despite warnings from the council’s own Scrutiny Committee and in ignorance of the risks of discriminating and marginalising a minority community then no community centre, temple, or any other place of worship is safe.

This case matters nationally & internationally:

It is about fairness.
It is about dignity.
It is about non-marginalisation of the Hindu Community as a whole.
It is about protecting a cultural and religious home for current & future generations.

How You Can Help

Please can you donate, no matter how small the amount please do so.

If you cannot donate, please help us and share this page widely.

Every pound, every share, every message of support strengthens our fight to protect a place that has shaped thousands of lives and will shape thousands more. Please support the Hindu community of Peterborough – who are peaceful, law abiding citizens and have selflessly served and contributed to the cultural fabric of the City of Peterborough for decades; supporting roles in the NHS, Education and many other local institutions.

Together, We Can Save Our Community Centre & Mandir

This is a defining moment for our community & all Hindu’s who call the UK their home

Please stand with us – Please help us protect our spiritual home

Thank you for taking the time to consider our appeal. Your support, your compassion, and your blessings are appreciated beyond words.

Media Coverage Links (chronological):

• 13 Oct 2025 — Hindu temple in Peterborough feels ‘let down’

• 21 Oct 2025 — Hindu community reacts to temple sale

• 12 Oct 2025 — Anger as Hindu temple set to be sold off

• 22 Dec 2025 — New England Complex Sale decision called-in

• 24 Dec 2025 — Peterborough City Council calls in decision

• 13 Jan 2026 — Temple sale decision made without all information

• 10 Feb 2026 — Hindu community ‘devastated’ after decision