Amendment in Bodhgaya Temple Act is the Final Condition, We Won’t Let Brahmins Control Bodhgaya
Town Hall Times: The Buddhist community in Bodhgaya has intensified its movement against the dominance of Brahmins, and Buddhist organizations from all around the world are supporting this protest. For several decades, the Buddhist community has been fighting against Brahmin control over Bodhgaya, but both the administration and the judiciary have turned a blind eye to this issue. Recently, the Buddhist community has become more vocal about their rights, and many members are now on strike.
An indefinite hunger strike began on February 12, demanding the liberation of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple from non-Buddhists’ control and its full handover to the Buddhist community. The protest, which started near the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, has seen hundreds of Buddhist monks and nuns sitting peacefully under the open sky. Their demand is to end state interference in Buddhist religious matters and to transfer the management of the Mahabodhi Temple entirely to the Buddhist community. Supporters from across India, including Tripura, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and other states, are joining in to show their participation and support for this massive movement.
The protest is related to the Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949, which established a nine-member Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) for the administration of the temple. However, only four of these nine members are Buddhists, while the remaining five, including the chairperson (the district magistrate), are Hindus. Protesters argue that this unfair system denies Buddhists the right to manage their holiest site, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
The condition of some monks on hunger strike has worsened, with doctors stating that their health is deteriorating day by day. Vilas Kharat, associated with the movement, said, “This is a life-or-death hunger strike, and we are prepared to sacrifice our lives to protect this heritage.” He accused the administration and police of attempting to suppress the movement with their help. He further claimed, “Just as the government hid slums in Delhi during the G20 summit by putting up green curtains, similar tactics are being used to suppress this movement. On Thursday, a large vehicle was parked outside the protest site to prevent guests from learning about the protest.”
While Brahmins are searching for temples beneath every mosque as part of their cultural heritage, why shouldn’t the Buddhist community, whose identity is tied to India’s recognition in the world through Buddha, protect the oldest cultural heritage of India and reintroduce Buddhist heritage to the world?
We suggest that all temples in the country, including those Brahmins call the Char Dham, undergo carbon dating to determine which idols belong to which heritage—whether they belong to Brahmins or Buddhists. We are not claiming that your religion or culture is fake or false; we are concerned with preserving our own culture, said Supreme Court advocate and Buddhist follower, Mr. Madan Lal Kalkal.
In a video released by Advocate Rajender Pal Gautam, he stated, “When non-Muslims are not allowed in mosque committees and non-Sikhs are not allowed in Sikh gurdwara committees, why is the Brahmin community controlling the Buddhist sacred site, which is a historical pilgrimage for Buddhists?”
“Pushyamitra Shunga was a Brahmin who promised 100 coins to anyone who brought the heads of Buddhist monks and nuns. A Brahmin named Shashanka uprooted the Bodhi tree. All these actions are attempts to erase the country’s identity. The hunger strike we are sitting on is not just a small fight; it is a battle to save the country’s identity and pride,” he further added. He also pointed out how attempts have been made for years to label Buddha’s place as a Hindu temple, associating it with Lord Shiva and the Pandavas. The government has also been promoting this misleading narrative.
This protest has garnered support from over 500 Buddhist organizations across India, including the Buddhist Society of India, and international Buddhist associations from countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, and Mongolia. However, no concrete steps have been taken by the government so far.
Akash Lama, a member of the movement, said, “Every religious community has full control over its sacred sites, but Buddhists are being denied this right. The government is earning revenue from the Mahabodhi Temple but is ignoring the demands of Buddhists.”
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