‘Repeal Bodh Gaya Temple Act, hand over control of Gaya’s Mahabodhi temple to Buddhists’

It said, “The Mahabodhi Mahavihara, where Bhagvaan Buddha attained enlightenment, is a site of profound spiritual importance for over half a billion Buddhists around the globe. It is not just a monument, it is the heart of Buddhist spiritual heritage…Despite its global and religious significance, the management of this temple is controlled under the Bihar Government’s Bodhgaya Temple (BT) Act of 1949, which continues to deny Buddhists their rightful autonomy to manage and preserve their religious practices and heritage. The current structure of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) undermines the religious and constitutional rights of Buddhists…”

According to the memorandum, “The BTMC, as per the BT Act of 1949, consists of nine members, of whom only four are Buddhists. The remaining members, including the District Magistrate who is the Chairman, are non-Buddhists, predominantly Brahmins. This glaring disparity creates an imbalanced power structure where the interests and spiritual values of the Buddhist community are at risk of being subordinated to the interests of other religious groups.”

It also said that the management of the Bodhgaya Temple under BT Act is in violation of various constitutional provisions.

Apart from seeking repeal of the BT Act of 1949, the representation also demanded to form a new autonomous body, Mahabodhi Mahavihara Chaitya Trust, to give total control over the place to the Buddhist community.

Gujarat State Convener of AIBF, Ramesh Banker, said that they have submitted the memorandum, addressed to the Prime Minister, to the district collector of Ahmedabad. He added that it is part of a nationwide movement in support of their demands.