Sadiq has been working to help the congregation of the Sivayogum Temple in Tooting, which is currently in dispute with its landlord and was recently evicted.

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan said " I campaigned to get the temple planning permission as a Councillor in the mid 1990s and to save the building housing the Temple from demolition  two years ago. I have been working to help the Sivayogum Temple over the last three weeks.

“The eviction of Sivayogum Temple is very distressing for the local community, and for the Hindu community across South London.  Thousands of people come to worship in Tooting, and its loss is a blow to the local community.

“One of the joys of Tooting is that we have churches, mosques, gurdwaras and temples all serving our community cheek by jowl. Closing down the temple is devastating for our Hindu neighbours and for all of us.

“The way the congregation have been treated by the landlord is shocking.

“Since the eviction I have been extremely concerned that the Temple is respected at all times, and that nothing is done to damage or remove any deities in the Temple.

“I was pleased to hear that a Court Order has been put in place to protect the Temple deities, and to prevent the bailiffs from selling these to recover funds from the Temple.

“I have worked with the congregation, their solicitor and authorities to help them remove deities and personal property.

“I will continue to work the Temple and authorities to ensure that this situation is dealt with considerately, and that the Hindu community in South West London do not suffer further as a result of these recent events.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Sadiq Khan MP has been in regular contact with the congregation to provide help:

• In 2010 he campaigned to save the RACS building, which houses the Temple, from demolition, and worked with Tooting Councillors and campaigners to support a solution to the Temple’s difficulties with the landlord, Barrowfen.

• Since the eviction has written to Wandsworth Council asking for urgent assistance in housing the 11 priests made homeless by the eviction

• He has been in regular contact with the police to ensure that the security officers on the site conduct themselves appropriately and respectfully

• He has tried to help the temple by providing advice on different sources of legal support, and has been in regular touch with the solicitor who has been instructed to challenge the eviction.