Buddhists Demand Religious Rights at Mahabodhi Temple: Protests Intensify Over Control of Sacred Site
Hundreds of Buddhist monks and lay followers have intensified their protests at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, demanding exclusive Buddhist control over their holiest shrine.
The movement, which began as a small sit-in in February, has now grown into a nationwide campaign, drawing attention to what protesters call a “historic injustice” and a violation of their religious rights.
A Sacred Site Under Dispute
The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks the spot where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment over 2,500 years ago.
For Buddhists worldwide, it is the most sacred place of pilgrimage. Yet, under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, the temple’s management is shared equally between Hindus and Buddhists, with the chairperson always a Hindu-typically the District Magistrate of Gaya.
“This is the only major religious site in India where the founding faith does not have exclusive control,” said Venerable Bhante Anand, a senior monk leading the protests.
“Hindus manage their temples, Muslims their mosques, Christians their churches. Why are Buddhists denied this right at our holiest site?”
Claims of Religious Discrimination
Protesters argue that the current arrangement violates Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right of religious communities to manage their own affairs.
They also allege that the performance of Hindu rituals within the temple complex undermines its Buddhist identity.
“It is painful to see Vedic rituals being performed here,” said Dr. Siddharth Dhende, a Buddhist leader from Maharashtra.
“This is not just about management, it’s about our dignity, our history, and our right to worship as Buddhists.”
Protests Spread Nationwide
What began as a local demonstration has now sparked rallies in Mumbai, Delhi, Mysuru, and Ladakh, with support pouring in from international Buddhist organizations as well.
Social media campaigns using hashtags like #RestoreMahabodhi and #BuddhistRights have amplified the movement’s reach.
The protests escalated after police forcibly removed monks on a hunger strike from the temple premises in late February, a move widely condemned by human rights groups.
Government and Hindu Leaders Respond
The Bihar state government and the Bodh Gaya Math, a Hindu monastery involved in the temple’s management, have dismissed the protests as politically motivated, especially with state elections on the horizon.
“The current arrangement is fair and respects the temple’s shared history,” said a spokesperson for the Math.
However, Buddhist groups counter that their demand is not political but a matter of fundamental rights.
“We are not against anyone,” said Bhante Anand. “We only ask for what is rightfully ours.”
A Long-Standing Legal Battle
Buddhist organizations have repeatedly petitioned the government and the Supreme Court to amend or repeal the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, but their pleas have so far gone unanswered.
A case filed in 2012 remains pending in the Supreme Court, with no date set for hearing.
A Call for Justice
As the protests continue, many Buddhists see this as a defining moment for their community in India.
“We have been patient for decades,” said Dr. Dhende. “Now, we are united. We will not rest until our rights are restored at the Mahabodhi Temple.”
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