Adina Temple - Mosque Row: Centre Asked to Respond, Next Hearing in Four Weeks

Kolkata, July 20: The Calcutta High Court on Monday granted the Central Government four weeks to file its response in the ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the disputed status of the historic Adina monument in West Bengal's Malda district. The matter was heard before the Hon'ble Chief Justice and the Bench and is scheduled to be taken up again after four weeks.

Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Abhee Dutta submitted before the court that the Adina structure is a historic temple dedicated to Lord Adinath (Shiva), which, according to the petitioners, was destroyed and converted several centuries ago.  

Advocate Abhee Dutta said, "Adina is a historic temple dedicated to Lord Adinath (Shiva). According to our submission, it was destroyed and converted several centuries ago. Today, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was heard before the Hon'ble Chief Justice and the Bench. The Hon'ble Court has granted the Central Government four weeks to file a reply clarifying whether the structure is to be treated as a temple or a mosque. There are numerous idols and carvings of Hindu deities, including Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, and others, within the Adina structure. Our concern is that these idols are being damaged. We have approached the Court seeking permission for Hindu devotees to worship these deities and for steps to be taken towards the restoration of the temple.

He continued that, "after four weeks, the matter will be heard again, and the Court will consider the responses before passing further orders. Our submission is that a mosque does not contain idols or statues. The presence of these Hindu deities indicates that this is a temple. We will continue to pursue legal remedies to protect the site and ensure that the temple and its idols are preserved."

The petition seeks permission for Hindu devotees to offer worship at the site and requests directions for the protection of the idols and restoration of what the petitioners describe as the original temple. Advocate Dutta further argued that the presence of Hindu deities inside the structure supports the petitioners' claim that it is a temple and not a mosque. He stated that the petitioners would continue to pursue legal remedies to preserve the site and safeguard the idols.

The Adina monument has remained at the centre of a long-running temple-mosque dispute. The PIL, filed earlier this year, contends that the site has historically been identified by the petitioners as the Adinath Temple and asserts that Hindu deities and carvings remain visible within the protected monument. The petition seeks permission for Hindu worship and measures to preserve the idols.The controversy has intensified over the past two years. During 2024 and 2025, attempts to perform puja at the site, subsequent police intervention and political reactions drew renewed public attention. With the High Court now directing the Centre to place its stand on record within four weeks, the case is set for its next hearing, when the court is expected to consider the government's response before issuing any further directions.

Editor's Note: The historical and legal status of the Adina monument remains disputed. The claims regarding the site's origin and character are those advanced by the petitioners before the court and are yet to be adjudicated.