West Bengal Mandir-Masjid Row: BJP Leader's Temple Claim Near 650-Year-Old Adina Mosque Sparks Controversy

A mandir-masjid controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a Hindu right-wing party led by a BJP leader offered prayers near a 650-year-old mosque in Malda district, which it claims was originally a temple. The "Adinath Puratan Shiv Mandir" organisation is planning to install a large Shiva Lingam outside the mosque on Monday.

According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Adina Masjid in Pandua, Malda, which was constructed in 1373 AD by Sikandar Shah, was the largest mosque in the subcontinent during the Middle Ages. However, the BJP and Hindu organisations have claimed that it took the place of an "Adinath Temple" dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Goswami Defends Temple Claim

Kajal Goswami, convenor of the BJP's "Good Governance Wing" for North Bengal and the main supporter of the Adinath Puratan Shiv Mandir said,

"There are Hindu and Buddhist statues in the so-called mosque. The Adinath Temple was demolished to make room for a mosque."

The organization claims that, apart from a Shiva Lingam, the mosque has numerous Hindu and Buddhist elements. It says it will shortly petition the Calcutta High Court for an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report on the matter.

Goswami further added, 

"Our goal is to restore the temple and place the Shiva Lingam inside it." For installation near the mosque, a 1.5-ton, 3.6-foot-tall Shiva Lingam is being transported from Tarakeshwar, which is 289 kilometres away.

Goswami stated, 

"But we will follow the law. A law and order issue is not what we want. We have already met with police and ASI officers, and they advised us to perform puja outside the mosque."

Monument Protected Under ASI

The public is hereby informed that Adina Monument is a Centrally Protected Monument of National Importance under the Archaeological Survey of India and is governed by the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act), according to a recent advisory issued by the Malda district police in response to social media posts claiming that "certain individuals intend to visit Adina Monument and perform religious rituals, including puja and other ceremonies." 

The notification further stated that "no religious rituals or any other unauthorized activities are permitted within the protected monument premises," warning of strict legal action against any violation.

BJP MP Raises Matter

With months till the West Bengal Assembly elections, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and current Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya elevated the matter to Parliament on December 5, 2025.

Salim Alleges BJP Strategy

Politburo member and CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim claimed it was a well-known BJP playbook. 

"Whenever the BJP or RSS gains ground, they initiate this. They include religious activities in the initial phase. They then sow discord and strife. The most recent example is the Adina Mosque.

He stated in reference to the student protests held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar,

"These have shown that a movement should bring people together, not divide them."