Buddhist Monks Protest for Autonomy Over Bodh Gaya Temple Management

Current Affairs National

Posted by newadmin on 2025-04-02 08:58:26 |

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In early 2024, nearly 100 Buddhist monks from the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) launched protests at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, demanding the repeal of the 1949 Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA). The BTA established an eight-member management committee with equal representation for both Buddhists and Hindus, but the inclusion of the District Magistrate (DM) as the ex-officio chairperson has sparked controversy. The monks argue that the role of the DM, typically a Hindu, gives undue influence to the Hindu community, overshadowing the Buddhist presence at one of Buddhism’s holiest sites.

The Mahabodhi Temple, where Buddha attained Enlightenment, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the four sacred Buddhist locations. Over time, the temple has been a focal point of Hindu-Buddhist tensions, especially after the establishment of a Hindu-controlled Bodh Gaya Mutt in 1590.

Buddhist groups have long sought full autonomy over the temple's management. Previous efforts, including a 2013 amendment to the BTA allowing the DM to be of any faith and a 2012 Supreme Court petition, have not resolved the issue. The latest protests follow earlier rallies in 2023 and highlight the ongoing struggle for control of a site of immense religious significance.

The outcome of these protests could reshape the temple’s governance, impacting Buddhist representation and autonomy in one of the world’s most revered spiritual locations.

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