Buddhist Monks Continue Hunger Strike, Seeking Full Control Over Mahabodhi Temple
A group of several hundred Buddhist monks, religious leaders, and lay followers have entered the 15th day of an indefinite hunger strike at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, in the Indian state of Bihar. The demonstrators are demanding full Buddhist administrative control of the temple, challenging the existing management structure established under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, which grants a majority presence in the governing body to Hindu members.
For those unfamiliar, Bodhgaya is the holiest site in Buddhism, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. It was long a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, but with the decline of Buddhism in India it fell into disuse. It was restored by Alexander Cunningham, the founder of Indian archaeology, to become a functioning site for pilgrims once more. Buddhists, led initially by Anagarika Dhammapala, attempted to reclaim the site as Buddhist, but the Indian government ensured that a majority of the governance must be Hindu.
It is the only case where the central sacred site for a world religion is governed by people of another religion.
The Mahabodhi Temple, the holiest site for Buddhists, is currently facing a serious issue. Under the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act (BTMC) of 1949, Buddhists do not have full control over their own temple. The law states that the temple must be managed by a nine-member committee, with five members required to be Hindus and the remaining four Buddhists. The district magistrate, who is by law a Hindu, automatically becomes the chairman of the committee, leaving Buddhists with little authority over the administration of their most sacred site.
At present, many Hindu rituals are being performed inside the temple complex, which are not part of Buddhist customs. People are conducting shraddh and pind daan, Hindu death rituals where offerings are made for the souls of ancestors. Additionally, a Shiva Linga and other Hindu idols have been placed inside the temple premises, none of which were originally part of the Buddhist heritage of the site.
Since February 12, 2025, protests have been ongoing against this issue, with Buddhist monks and supporters demanding the repeal of the BTMC Act and the return of full control of the temple to Buddhists. However, instead of addressing these concerns, the authorities arrested several Bhikkhus in the early hours of February 28, between 1 and 2 a.m. Meanwhile, the media has largely ignored the situation. In a shocking incident, a female Bhikkhuni was taken away by male police officers, who placed their hands on her waist while escorting her, which is a clear violation of the law. The government has made no effort to resolve the matter, and tensions continue to rise.
That’s truly unfortunate, and it seems like a dreadful situation that has clearly gone on for too long. I sincerely hope they receive the attention and support they deserve in order to bring about a positive change.
Mahabodhi Temple Protest—As Bihar Police Detain Fasting Monks, Buddhist Community Turns to International Platforms for Intervention
Mahabodhi Mahavihara Mukti Andolan- Bihar Police forcibly remove hunger-striking Buddhist monks, while a global petition demanding temple control gains 17,000 signatures worldwide.
Religious tension seems to often spark strong emotion, varying between the anger formed when an injustice is created under the guise of worship of a supreme being, to anger formed in response to warranted anger because what both parties are seeking is power, though often both sides seem to misunderstand that harmony and coexistence is more important than winning an argument or controlling a peice of land. After all, most plots of land turned upside down by construction work are stolen from the forest and other types of natural phenomena and life with families that occupied them previously.
Personally, I believe that the controlling Hindus in this case should give the Temple area back to the Buddhists… Even though this is all ephemeral and little affects Enlightenment practices. It would be a nice gesture. I just hope both the Buddhists and Hindus in this situation be able to respect each other’s Spiritual Traditions, and help both grow as the Buddha would, instead of cutting off what Ancient Wisdom may be left here in Mappo of two Traditions that have inspired good etiquette and peaceful practices in so many good people. Free the prisoners.
Namaste. May there be a Way to bring Hindus and Buddhists together in this issue, and not alienate two great groups of people.
The District Magistrate, a member of the Mahabodhi Temple Committee, told the protesters that this is not a big issue. He said some Buddhists are on a hunger strike for their demands, and the administration has spoken to them twice, asking them to end it, but they refused. The district administration has sent a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, and discussions have taken place between the ministry and the protesters. Aakash Lama, the leading monk in the protest and General Secretary of the All India Buddhist Forum, said that the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs has requested a week. He responded that they will continue the hunger strike until their demands are met. Followers of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have started their protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and are now marching towards the state secretariat to press their demands. However, the police are blocking them from moving forward. Additionally, Ambedkarite organizations have gone to Bodh Gaya to put pressure on the government.
Do you not think that this has to do with escapist attitude and mentality of majority buddhists whom living an approach towards life of “escape and break away” from reality for over two thousand five hundred years .
A long legal process, all the way up to India’s Supreme Court over 12 years ago, has been fruitless.
Non-violent protest looks like Right Action in these circumstances?
If a boycott of the wealthy Buddhist pilgrims to Bodh Gaya could be arranged, there may be some significant changes. Bihar is still crushing poor with the annual per capita income under 1000USD. The financial input into Bodh Gaya from the wealthy Buddhist tourists is significant. If that was stopped, then pressure on the Bihar politicians may be more likely to get the offending Act repealed.
Given the political religious reactionary tide in India and the levels of corruption it can be expected any meaningful change will be challenging and very slow.
Going to court isnt an ultimate reality ! Buddha standpoint cannot over rule the court’s decision , what is the point saying ultimate reality when dealing with worldly affairs ? Precisely what i have said earlier , this is due to buddhists mentality of escapism which is break away from reality .
Mr. Rajratna Ambedkar has requested international organizations through letters to intervene and take action against what is going on in Bodh Gaya #FreeMahabodhi
IIRC from my tour guide while in India, the management board consists of 4 Buddhist members and 4 Hindu members with a 9th member being the chairman, who is Hindu.
Perhaps a compromise could be to allow the chairman to be Buddhist, while retaining the 4 Hindu members.
Why on Earth should Buddhists continue to compromise control of the most important Buddhist site to those who not only do not practice the Dhamma but have time and time again went out of their way to disparage Buddhism and persecute its followers ?
