THE HINDU community in Oxford is calling on the council to help them find a permanent place of worship within the county.

On Monday, Hindu worshippers met at Bonn Square and marched to the town hall, to present a petition to Oxford City Council.

The petition which had over 2,500 signatures, asked the council to help the community find a permanent place of worship - the group currently meets in a community hall in Rose Hill but has to unpack their religious idols at each meeting, as the centre is used by other groups as well. 

Mark Bhagwandin, who is membership secretary for Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre Project (OHTCCP), said: “The main purpose of the campaign today is to show that Hindus in Oxfordshire are not going to be ignored anymore.

“For thirteen years we have been trying to get a Hindu Temple, when we try on the commercial market we have to compete with rich developers, who are happy to pay millions for the property.

“So, the only option we have is to get the help of the city council.”

The group does not want the council to give them a ‘handout’, it just wants to buy one of its empty or derelict properties.

In an address made at the council chambers on Monday, Dr. Gian Gopal asked the council to buy from them either the Blackbird Leys Pavilion or the Changing Rooms in Marsh Lane.

In a written response, the council explained that the pavilion is already in use and the vacant, run-down changing rooms, were not viable to go onto the market right now.

The council said it would continue actively working with the community to find a suitable premises. 

The nearest Hindu Temple to Oxford is currently located in Reading. 

Jaya Patel, another member of OHTCCP, said speaking to this paper that the lack of a permanent place of worship in the city has led her to feel ‘isolated’ from her community and made her feel ‘really depressed’.

She said: “I have been in Oxford most of my life, brought up my little kids here, and I have often had to drive all the way to Birmingham just so my children could experience Hinduism – but it has come to the stage where my children don’t believe in Hinduism or God anymore.” 

Chris Hills, who is a supporter of OHTCCP and plays the drums during services, echoed the need for a permanent worship space: “I do think it’s wrong that every other major religion in the city has at least one place of worship – and the Hindu’s do not have anything at all.

“They are peripatetic, they move around, all sorts of community centres and they really need a permanent space – they need support.”

The council has said it is 'actively working' to establish a Hindu Temple in Oxford.

Councillor Shaista Aziz, Cabinet Member Inclusive Communities said: “Oxford City Council has been actively working with the Hindu community to help find a premise that could be used as a prayer space, alongside other wider community initiatives.

“We understand the needs of the community and there has been open dialogue between us."

“We look forward to this continuing.”

Cllr Aziz added that finding a suitable and available property within the city is challenging.

She said: “Whilst the Council may have a significant number of properties, the vast majority of these are houses and the pressure for houses is sadly all too apparent.

“It is also likely that housing stock would present a challenge in regard to planning and suitability.

"Most of our non-housing properties are either in use or are part of our commercial investment portfolio that delivers rental income to support core services."

The council said the Hindu community is 'valued for its charity work and for bringing people together regardless of background'.

Yet other councillors believe the council could do more.

Lye Valley Councillor, Linda Smith, said she would ‘continue to push for progress on the matter at the town hall’.

She added: “Imagine how much more they could do with a home of their own from which to provide mutual support for elders, activities for young people, and educational and cultural activities open to all.”