What is Bodh Gaya and why is it significant?
Bodh Gaya, located in Bihar, is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.
Built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
Why are Buddhist monks protesting?
Demand: Repeal the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949 and hand over full control of the temple to Buddhists.
Protesters oppose non-Buddhists (especially Hindus) being on the temple's management committee.
What does the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949 say?
Introduced by the Bihar Government to resolve Hindu-Buddhist disputes.
The Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) has:
4 Buddhist members
4 Hindu members
District Magistrate of Gaya as ex-officio chairperson
Originally, the chairperson was to be Hindu if the DM was non-Hindu. This was changed in 2013 to make it religion-neutral.
Timeline of Buddhist demands:
1895: Anagarika Dharmapala (Mahabodhi Society) sued to place Buddha’s image in the temple.
1922: Congress forms committee (under Dr. Rajendra Prasad) to resolve temple control issue.
1990s: Bodh Gaya Mahavihara Bill drafted by Lalu Prasad govt (never passed).
2012: Writ petition filed in Supreme Court.
2015: All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) formed.
2023–24: Multiple rallies held in Gaya, Patna.
2025 (Feb 12): Indefinite protest begins in Bodh Gaya.
What are the legal and political angles?
Issue is sub judice in the Supreme Court.
District Magistrate urges monks to wait for verdict.
Raised during Parliament’s Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 debate, which involved minority property rights.
What are the financial concerns?
The temple receives large donations, often from abroad.
FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) compliance required.
In 2023, temple was fined ₹80 lakh for FCRA violations.
Allegations of personal ambitions and misuse of donation accounts by protestors and management members.
What is the historical background of Hindu involvement?
Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasion in the 13th century led to Buddhism's decline in Bihar.
In 1590, a Shaivite monk Ghamandi Giri set up the Bodh Gaya mutt.
Shaivites claim Buddha as the 9th incarnation of Vishnu.
A Hindu temple of Lord Jagannath exists in the complex.
Hindu priests managed the temple for centuries until 1949.
What is the Buddhist view?
The BT Act is seen as:
Unconstitutional
Violation of religious freedom
Caste-based domination
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism is often cited as a resistance to Hindu caste practices.
Current status of the protest:
Ongoing for 2 months+ (since Feb 12, 2025).
Backed by groups like Bhim Army, with Ambedkarite slogans and imagery.
Claims of both growing support and politicization of the movement.
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