Mahabodhi Temple Protest—As Bihar Police Detain Fasting Monks, Buddhist Community Turns to International Platforms for Intervention

Bodh Gaya, Bihar — In a late-night operation on Thursday, Bihar Police detained Buddhist monks who were on a hunger strike as part of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Mukti Andolan (Liberation Movement). The police action, which took place at 1:00 AM on the 15th day of the protest, has sparked widespread outrage within the Buddhist community.

The monks were demanding the complete transfer of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple's management to the Buddhist community. However, the district administration forcibly removed the monks and admitted them to a medical college, a move the community has termed "highly condemnable and concerning."

The protest, which began on February 12, saw hundreds of Buddhist monks and followers participating in a peaceful relay hunger strike. Their demands included the full handover of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple's management to the Buddhist community and the repeal of the Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949. After 15 days of continuous protest, the police forcibly removed the fasting monks and took them to a medical college.

Bhante Prajñashil Mahathera, the chief advisor of the Buddha Gaya Mahabodhi Mahavihara Mukti Andolan, revealed that around 12:30 AM, police forces removed all the monks from the hunger strike site near the BTMC office in Golambar.

The monks condemned the police action, stating, "This is yet another attempt by the government to suppress our movement. Our monks were protesting peacefully for their rightful demands, but the government forcibly removed them. This is a violation of the Buddhist community's rights."

They also mentioned that discussions with high-ranking officials earlier in the day had been cordial, but the sudden police action at midnight came as a shock. The monks have continued their sit-in protest outside the hospital throughout the night.

Following the incident, the Buddhist community has called on everyone to join the movement and make every possible effort to free the Mahabodhi Temple. Ashish Barua, Convenor of the All India Buddhist Forum, told The Mooknayak, "The government is continuously trying to suppress this movement, but we must unite to make this mission successful. This is a fight to protect our religion and culture."

Dr. Vilas Kharat, one of the key leaders of the movement, announced the next phase of the agitation. Memorandums will be submitted at district headquarters across the country. This will be followed by a sit-in protest on March 6 and a rally on March 12. The movement will culminate in a massive rally in Bodh Gaya, expected to draw lakhs of participants.

The struggle for the Mahabodhi Temple is not just a religious issue but a fight to preserve India's cultural and historical heritage. The Buddhist community has made it clear that they are prepared to go to any lengths to secure their rights. It is now up to the government to take this issue seriously and address the demands of the Buddhist community.

Rajratna Ambedkar Raises Voice for Mahabodhi Liberation at International Level

Rajratna Ambedkar, President of the Buddhist Society of India and Secretary of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in Bangkok, has appealed to international organizations to intervene in the ongoing hunger strike and the discriminatory Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949.

In letters addressed to the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Ambedkar urged immediate action to address the grievances of the Buddhist community.

The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds profound spiritual and cultural significance for Buddhists worldwide. Its control by a non-Buddhist majority committee is a grave injustice and an attack on the fundamental principles of religious freedom and human rights.

Ambedkar expressed hope that these esteemed organizations would take immediate action to protect the religious rights of Buddhists and ensure justice for the community. He emphasized that the ongoing hunger strike is a matter of life and death for those involved and urged international intervention before the situation worsens.

Meanwhile, the global petition initiated by SSD International Ambedkarite Buddhist NRI is gaining significant traction, with nearly 17,000 signatures from supporters worldwide.

Titled "In Solidarity: Demand Buddhist Control Over the Mahabodhi Temple," the petition has become a rallying cry for Buddhists across the globe, uniting them in their demand for justice and the rightful transfer of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple’s administration to the Buddhist community.

The petition highlights the historical and spiritual significance of the temple, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, and calls for an end to the discriminatory Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949, which places non-Buddhists in control of the sacred site.

The overwhelming response to the petition reflects the global Buddhist community’s determination to reclaim their heritage and ensure that the Mahabodhi Temple remains a sanctuary of pure Buddhist worship and pilgrimage.

The issue

The struggle for control of the Mahabodhi Temple is not new. For decades, Buddhists have protested against the 1949 Act, which they argue is unconstitutional and violates international cultural laws. The temple, originally built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, has been a symbol of Buddhist heritage and identity. However, its management has been dominated by non-Buddhists, leading to allegations of neglect, commercialization, and attempts to Hinduize the site.

In recent years, there have been numerous reports of mismanagement, including the misuse of donations and the mistreatment of pilgrims.

The current hunger strike, led by Buddhist monks and supported by over 500 organizations worldwide, is the latest effort to draw attention to these issues. Protesters have accused the Bihar government of ignoring their demands and resorting to intimidation tactics, such as creating loud noises to disrupt peaceful assemblies and blocking visibility of the protest site.