Supreme Court Urged to Expedite Hearing on 13-Year-Old Bodh Gaya Temple Petition as Monks' Hunger Strike Reaches Critical Stage

New Delhi-  In a plea marked by urgency, Advocate Anand S. Jondhale, President, Budhist International Forum For Peace, has approached the Supreme Court seeking immediate hearing of a 13-year-old pending writ petition related to the Bodh Gaya Temple.

The application highlights the critical condition of Buddhist monks who have been on a hunger strike for the past 23 days, demanding resolution of the issues raised in the petition.

The intervenor has emphasized that the writ petition, filed in 2012, has not been listed for hearing for over a decade, and the ongoing hunger strike by the monks has created a life-threatening situation. The application states, "If this writ petition is kept pending without a decision, there is a danger to the lives of the Buddhist monks." The plea highlights the need for the Court’s immediate intervention to address the escalating crisis and save the lives of the fasting monks.

The original writ petition (Civil No. 0380 of 2012) was filed by Bhante Arya Nagarjun Shurai Sasai and Gajendra Mahanand Pantawane, seeking relief related to the management and affairs of the Bodh Gaya Temple, a site of immense religious and cultural significance for Buddhists worldwide.

The petitioners have raised concerns about the temple's administration and its impact on the Buddhist community.

The intervenor has expressed deep concern over the health and well-being of the monks, who are on an indefinite hunger strike. The application states, "If this writ petition is kept pending without a decision, there is a danger to the lives of the Buddhist monks."

The writ petition, filed in 2012, has not been listed for hearing for over a decade, and the intervenor has urged the Court to prioritize the case to address the urgent issues raised and to save the lives of the monks on hunger strike. The intervenor has assured the Court that the application is filed in good faith and in the interest of justice, with the sole aim of protecting the lives of the monks and ensuring the preservation of Buddhist heritage.

The intervenor has made specific prayers to the Supreme Court, including allowing the intervenor to become a party to the writ petition and participate in the proceedings, immediately listing the writ petition for hearing to address the urgent issues raised, and passing any additional orders deemed fit by the Court to ensure justice is served.

The Bodh Gaya Temple, located in Bihar, is one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists worldwide, believed to be the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The temple's management and administration have been a subject of contention, with various stakeholders, including Buddhist monks and organizations, raising concerns over its governance.

The case has drawn significant attention from the global Buddhist community, as it involves the preservation of a site of unparalleled religious importance. The hunger strike by the monks has added urgency to the matter, highlighting the need for timely judicial intervention to address long-standing grievances. As the matter unfolds, all eyes are on the Supreme Court to take swift action and resolve the issues that are not only affecting the Buddhist monks but also holding significant implications for the global Buddhist community.

The Supreme Court’s decision on this application is eagerly awaited, as it holds the potential to bring relief to the protesting monks and address the longstanding issues related to the Bodh Gaya Temple.

The ongoing hunger strike by Buddhist monks in Bodh Gaya, demanding resolution of long-pending issues related to the Mahabodhi Temple, has garnered widespread support across social media platforms.

Prominent leaders, activists, and organizations have rallied behind the movement, amplifying the monks' plea for justice. Among them, Prakash Ambedkar, President of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has voiced strong support for the protest, highlighting its significance and criticizing the government’s inaction.

In a post on Twitter, Ambedkar stated, "I have been very closely following the Mahabodhi Mahavihara Mukti Andolan in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Support has been pouring in from the Buddhists for the #MahaBodhiMuktiAndolan. Both the VBA and Buddhist Society of India have lent their complete support to the Andolan and have pledged every possible effort to the protest."

Ambedkar further emphasized the global dimension of the protest, noting that Buddhists from foreign countries have also extended their solidarity. However, he expressed disappointment over the government’s apparent indifference, stating, "But the Modi-led government has turned both a blind eye and a deaf ear to the colossal Andolan of the Buddhists!"

The VBA leader also highlighted the diplomatic implications of the government’s inaction, pointing out that Buddhism plays a central role in India’s foreign policy and strategic relations with several countries. He remarked, "Buddhism is at the heart of India’s diplomacy and strategic foreign relations. Perhaps, Modi is naive to what the diplomatic implications could be of disregarding the demands of the Buddhists for the liberalisation of the Mahabodhi Temple."

Ambedkar warned that the government’s failure to address the monks’ demands could jeopardize India’s relationships with key Buddhist-majority nations. He added, "Modi is not only disregarding Buddhists’ protest in India but is also jeopardising India’s Buddhism-facilitated diplomacy and strategic partnerships with Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia."

The protest, which has entered its 24th day, has seen an outpouring of support from various quarters, with social media users rallying behind the hashtag #MahaBodhiMuktiAndolan. The movement has also drawn attention to the broader issues of religious freedom, temple administration, and the preservation of Buddhist heritage in India.