Bodh Gaya Temple Controversy – Control, Religion, and Rights

Title: Bodh Gaya Temple Controversy – Control, Religion, and Rights

Background: Why the protests?
Since February, nearly 100 Buddhist monks under the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) have been protesting near the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. They are demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949. The site is sacred to Buddhists as the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Monks argue that the current management structure favors Hindus, even though the site holds primary significance for Buddhists.

Previous protests and legal moves
In November 2023, monks submitted a memorandum to the Bihar government. In 2022, a legal petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Act. The matter is still pending.

What is the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949?
The BTA was enacted to manage the Mahabodhi Temple and resolve long-standing tension between Hindu and Buddhist communities regarding its control. It established an eight-member temple management committee: four members were to be Hindus and four Buddhists. However, the district magistrate, who usually belongs to the Hindu community, was designated as the ex-officio chairman, effectively creating a Hindu-majority committee.

Historical context
The decline of Buddhism in India began with the 13th-century invasion by Bakhtiyar Khilji. By Akbar’s time in 1590, a Buddhist monk had re-established presence at the site. Under British rule, control of the temple was handed to a Hindu mahant. In 1949, following Indian independence, the Bihar government passed the BTA and transferred control from the Hindu mahant to a joint management committee.

Changes in 2013
The Act was amended in 2013 to prohibit Hindu rituals near the Bodhi Tree. However, it did not grant Buddhists full administrative control. Demands for such reforms remain unresolved.

Religious arguments and symbolism
Buddhists argue that they are marginalized in the management of their holiest site. The temple is revered as the seat of enlightenment and symbol of Avalokiteshwara. On the other hand, some Hindu voices view the site as sacred to Sanatan Dharma and claim shared spiritual ownership.

Government’s intervention attempts
In 1995, the Bihar government under Lalu Prasad Yadav introduced a Bill to grant full control to Buddhists. However, the Bill lapsed and was never enacted. Since then, no substantial government effort has been made to amend the BTA in favor of Buddhists.

Summary of key issues

  • The Act maintains a power imbalance in the management of a Buddhist site
  • Constitutional questions around minority religious rights remain unresolved
  • Continued protests point to the importance of religious representation and heritage ownership
  • The site has global symbolic significance for Buddhists, especially from countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Japan