ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
UK Hindu community petitions to save local temple
The community has raised concerns over the future of the city’s only mandir.
-
1759163132.png)
Anushka Pathak - Mon, 16, Feb 2026
- 16:19 EST
- 21
Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir / Courtesy: Facebook/Bharat Hindu Samaj
Members of the local Hindu community in the United Kingdom's New England area have strongly opposed the Peterborough City Council’s decision to approve the sale of the city’s only Hindu temple.
The city council’s cabinet agreed to sell the site, which houses the Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir, to an undisclosed buyer as part of efforts to manage budget pressures.
ALSO READ: Sikh Coalition backs religious worker visa reform
A Change.org petition titled “Stop the unethical sale of Peterborough’s only Hindu temple,” launched by “Hindus of Peterborough,” describes the mandir as “a beacon of culture and faith in Peterborough” serving more than 13,000 people.
Founded in 1986, the mandir serves Hindus from Peterborough and surrounding areas across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Leicestershire. Beyond religious services, it hosts marriages, funerals, and festivals, as well as cultural programs, a lunch club, charitable initiatives, and community outreach, functioning as a central gathering space.
Attempts by the community to purchase the property date back to 2011, including a reported GBP 1.3 million (US $1.77 million) offer. Those negotiations did not result in a sale, and the decision to proceed with an open-market process has intensified concerns over the temple’s long-term security.
The petition states that the sale “would not only desecrate our sacred idols but also create a devastating void in our spiritual and social lives" and calls on the council to consider alternative options to safeguard the site’s cultural and spiritual role.
Supporters have also voiced objections on social media, criticizing the decision and urging authorities to protect the temple.
The council said it recognizes the concerns raised and reiterated its commitment to transparent communication with tenants while ensuring existing lease agreements remain protected.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login