The Bodh Gaya Temple Dispute Unveiled

Context:

Published on March 30, 2025, in The Hindu, this article delves into the ongoing controversy surrounding the management of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. It outlines the protests by Buddhist monks against the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, highlighting the clash between historical governance structures and demands for religious autonomy as of early 2025.

Key Points:

• Protest Overview: Since February 2025, nearly 100 Buddhist monks, led by the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF), have protested at the Mahabodhi Temple, demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949.
• Initial Protest Site: The agitation began at the Mahabodhi Temple but shifted to a nearby road due to administrative restrictions.
• AIBF’s Demand: The AIBF seeks full Buddhist control over the temple, submitting a memorandum to the Bihar government to amend the BTA.
• Temple Significance: Bodh Gaya is one of Buddhism’s four sacred sites—alongside Lumbini (birthplace), Sarnath (first sermon), and Kusinagar (parinirvana)—where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
• Historical Context:
• • Described as the “Mecca of Buddhism” by poet Edwin Arnold in “The Light of Asia,” Bodh Gaya gained prominence in the West.
  • The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been a focal point of Buddhist reverence for centuries.
• Management Structure: The BTA, 1949, established an eight-member Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) with four Hindus and four Buddhists, chaired by the Gaya District Magistrate (DM), typically from the majority Hindu community.
• Buddhist Grievances:
• • The Hindu-majority influence, due to the DM’s role, has long been resented by Buddhist groups.
  • Protesters argue that Hindu rituals performed by the Bodh Gaya Math (a Shaivite monastery) contradict Buddhist principles.
• Past Tensions:
• • In the 19th century, the Bodh Gaya Math, managing the temple since 1590, resisted Buddhist demands for control.
  • Intermittent Buddhist agitation for autonomy has persisted since the BTA’s enactment.
• Support Base: The AIBF’s movement is backed by prominent Buddhist organizations across India.
• Government Stance:
• • The Union Budget 2024-25 announced plans to develop Bodh Gaya as a world-class pilgrimage site, modeled on the Kashi Vishwanath corridor.
  • Bihar’s Minister for Law and Justice, Nitin Nabin, stated on March 25, 2025, that the government would consider Buddhist sentiments but highlighted the temple’s historical interfaith management.
• Counterarguments:
• • The Bodh Gaya Math held a press conference on March 25, 2025, denouncing the protests, claiming centuries of stewardship and legal backing under the BTA.
  • They argue that the temple has always been an interfaith space, not exclusively Buddhist.
• Protest Scale:
• • By March 25, 2025, the AIBF’s relay hunger strike reached its 45th day, marking the longest protest in Bodh Gaya’s recent history.
  • Plans for a Delhi-to-Bodh Gaya foot march were announced to escalate the movement.
• Cultural Debate: The controversy reflects broader questions about religious autonomy versus shared heritage in India’s sacred sites.

Key Terms:

• Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949: Legislation governing the Mahabodhi Temple’s management with a mixed Hindu-Buddhist committee.
• Mahabodhi Temple: UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bihar where Buddha attained enlightenment.
• All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF): Buddhist group leading the 2025 protests for temple control.
• Bodhi Tree: Sacred peepal tree under which Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment.
• Bodh Gaya Math: Shaivite Hindu monastery managing the temple since 1590.
• BTMC: Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee, the temple’s governing body under the BTA.
• Interfaith Management: Shared Hindu-Buddhist oversight of the temple, contested by protesters.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-the-controversy-over-the-bodh-gaya-temple-explained/article69394260.ece