New Delhi, 5 December (H.S.): West Bengal BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Shamik Bhattacharya on Friday raised the issue of the Adina Mosque in the Upper House, claiming that the historic structure was built after demolishing an ancient Adinath Temple that once stood at the same site in Malda district.

Speaking during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Bhattacharya alleged that Sultan Sikandar Shah, a ruler of the Ilyas Shahi dynasty, had destroyed the original temple and constructed the Adina Mosque on its remains in 1369 CE.

“Even today, the remnants of the temple are visible — including lotus engravings, statues of deities, and even an idol of Lord Ganesha,” he stated.The BJP leader’s remarks came while criticizing the recent claim by Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir, who reportedly laid the foundation stone for what he described as a “Babri Masjid” in Murshidabad district.

Bhattacharya said the issue was being politicized in an election-bound state but insisted that “this is not a Hindu–Muslim conflict or a temple–mosque dispute.”He described Sikandar Shah as “a plunderer who razed the Adinath Temple to build the Adina Mosque,” adding that over 72 local communities in Bengal have voiced support for the restoration of their ancient temple heritage.

Archaeological and Historical Context

The Adina Mosque, located near Pandua in Malda district, West Bengal, is widely regarded as the largest mosque of the Ilyas Shahi period. Built by Sultan Sikandar Shah in the 14th century, it is a significant example of Indo-Islamic architecture and has been declared a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress of attempting to “rewrite history” and “transform West Bengal into western Bangladesh” through such political symbolism. Bhattacharya reiterated in the House that “the truth of Adina lies in its stones — it was, and remains, the Adinath Temple.”His remarks sparked political ripples across Bengal, with opposition leaders accusing the TMC government of “selective silence” on sensitive cultural issues.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar