Rudy vs Rabri: Gautam Buddha vs Sujata

It was in September that the Rabri government came up with the proposal to name the airport after the wife of a ‘‘lower-caste’’ herdsman who is named in Buddhist texts as the woman who offered kheer to Buddha on the sixth day of his penance in a forest along the Phalgu River near Gaya. Buddha, who had gone hungry till then, is believed to have obtained enlightenment soon after.

RJD national spokesperson Shiwanand Tiwari justifies the Bihar government’s demand. ‘‘Buddha does not need an airport to be named after him. The whole city is named after him. But Sujata…she needs recognition. She was a poor cattle-herder from a backward caste. Her role and influence in Buddha’s life also needs to be recognised. Apart from being poor and backward, she was also a woman.’’

However, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy seems to be in no mood to relent. In a letter dated December 28, 2003, to Rabri, Rudy has stated that the renaming of Gaya airport as Gautam Buddha International Airpoort will be ‘‘more appropriate keeping in view the religious and historical importance of the place’’. Rudy has sought the Bihar government’s consent in the matter as this is required according to procedures. Rudy’s camp says Gaya attracts tourists because of Buddha’s association with the place.