Peterborough City Council told the High Court that its decision to sell a Hindu temple complex to a Muslim association is not unlawful. The Hindu community decried the valuation and argued that protected religious rights were ignored, while the council cited pressing financial needs. Bharat Hindu Samaj is seeking a judicial review to overturn the decision.

मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)

  • Peterborough council maintains the sale is lawful.
  • Hindu community disputes the valuation and claims inadequate alternative sites.
  • Financial pressure and equality duties are central to the controversy.

At the High Court in London, Peterborough City Council argued that its February 10 decision to sell the New England Complex – home to a Hindu temple – to the UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) for redevelopment as a mosque and Islamic centre is “not unlawful”. The site has been occupied by Bharat Hindu Samaj (BHS) since 1986, making it the only Hindu place of worship within a 35‑mile radius.

Legal Framework and Equality Duty

Councillor Catherine Rowlands, representing the council, explained that while the Hindu faith is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, it does not “dictate” the outcome of a planning decision. The Act requires public bodies to consider protected characteristics, but it does not compel them to favor one community over another. This legal nuance prompted audible laughter from Hindu observers in the public gallery, many of whom wore orange “Jai Shri Ram” T‑shirts.

Financial Imperatives and Competing Bids

UKIM submitted a bid of £1.4 million (approximately ₹18 crore) and demonstrated cash reserves of £5.4 million (₹69.2 crore). In contrast, BHS offered £900,000 (₹11.5 crore) plus an additional £504,000 (₹6.4 crore) in “social value” for its community services. Rowlands emphasized, “Peterborough council is hard up. We need the money,” underscoring the fiscal pressure driving the sale.

Community Reaction and Judicial Review

The Hindu community labelled the decision “unlawful” and questioned the adequacy of alternative premises offered by the council. BHS has filed for a judicial review, seeking to have the sale nullified on grounds that it breaches public sector equality duties and disregards the community’s protected religious rights.

Broader Implications for Religious Property in the UK

This case highlights the tension between local government finance and the protection of minority religious sites. A ruling in favour of the council could set a precedent for future dispossessions of faith‑based properties, while a reversal may compel councils nationwide to reassess how they balance fiscal needs with statutory equality obligations.