Adina Masjid built over razed Adinath Temple in Malda, Bengal

Idols of Hindu Deities and broken Shivalinga still exist in the mosque premises

Case registered against the Hindu priests worshipping in the area on the complaint of the Archaeological Survey of India !

Malda (Bengal) – Hindus performed Puja under the leadership of Hiranmoy Goswami, President of Vishwavidya Trust in Vrindavan, in the Adina Mosque premises in Malda on 17th February. This was opposed by the local Muslims. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has registered a case against Hiranmoy Goswami in Malda Police Station in this regard. A large Police force has reportedly been deployed in the area. This mosque was built a few centuries ago by demolishing a Hindu temple. Idols of Hindu Deities and a broken Shivalinga still exists there.

Hiranmoy Goswami came to visit this area. He saw a Shivalinga and Idols of Deities there. Following this, he called some of his friends and started performing Puja and chanting mantras. This caused trouble to the Muslims in the area and they informed the local Police.

Adinath temple lies beneath Adina Ma$j!d in Bengal’s Malda district.

➡️Murtis of Hindu deities and broken Shiv Ling, still in the m@$j!d’s premises.

➡️ A Mandir pujari (priest) is booked for worshipping on the site, after a complaint by Archaeology Department.

🛕 Several Hindu… pic.twitter.com/4XfdKJmYu4

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 21, 2024

Assistant sub-inspector Navin Chandra Poddar reached on the spot to stop Goswami. Poddar told Goswami that he could not perform religious activities in this mosque. Goswami asked Poddar, ‘What is my crime ?’, to which Poddar said, ‘Your crime is that you are offering puja wherever you want. This cannot be done here’. This statement sparked controversy.

Goswami asked why he could not offer puja when Idols of Hindu Deities are visible on the walls of the disputed structure. ‘Show me the order which says I cannot offer puja here. Do you have the right to tell me to leave this place ?’, he asked. The Hindu protesters further told the Police official to get a written order that the priest is not allowed to be present inside the premises.

History of Adinath Temple

Islamic invader Sultan Sikander Shah demolished the Hindu temple and built a mosque there in 1369. Earlier in May 2022, BJP leader Rathindra Bose pointed out that an ‘Adinath Mandir’ exists underneath the disputed structure. In a tweet, he said, ‘The Adinath temple is sleeping beneath the Adina mosque. Jitu Sardar gave his life to save this temple. That history is unknown to many. This issue came to my mind repeatedly when I visited the disputed place with local MLA Chinmoy Deb Barman yesterday. Kashi’s Lord Vishwanath got back his place. Is it now the turn of Adinath ?’

Editorial Perspectives

Mosques have been built in the country by razing Hindu temples. It is now necessary for the Union Government to pass a law to hand them back over to the Hindus.