New Delhi— The Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya, Bihar—where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment—is not just a sacred site of Buddhist faith today; it is increasingly becoming a hotspot of controversy, slogans, outrage, and alleged violence. Disturbing reports emerging from social media and ground sources are raising serious concerns, especially as these incidents have coincided with Buddha Purnima, a day on which Buddhist devotees across the globe pay homage to the Enlightened One.
Prakash Ambedkar, National President of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, has made a grave allegation, claiming that Brahminical and Manuwadi forces are targeting Buddhists and monks in Bodh Gaya. He described the events as a conspiracy to weaken the #Mahabodhi_Mukti_Andolan (Mahabodhi Liberation Movement), and called upon the Buddhist community to unite and expose the Brahminical mindset behind such actions.
In a social media post, Ambedkar directly targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the ongoing developments are not just an insult to Indian Buddhists but also to over 500 million Buddhists worldwide.
Buddhist monk Bhante Sumit Ratan alleged that in the presence of the state governor, Brahmin priests were made to perform Shivling worship within the premises of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara, while Buddhist monks stood by as helpless spectators. He claimed that internal conflicts and corruption have weakened the movement, which in turn has damaged the global reputation of Buddhism.
In another alarming development, Dr. Om Sudha, National President of the All India Dalit, Adivasi, Backward and Minority United Front, claimed that antisocial elements assaulted Buddhist monks within the temple premises, and that monk Bhante Vinacharya has been missing since last night. Meanwhile, Deepak Kedar, President of the All India Panther Sena, tweeted that communal slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” were chanted at the protest site, putting the safety of the monks at risk.
He submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar demanding:
Immediate deployment of police at the protest site.
Arrest of individuals shouting communal slogans.
Repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, and transfer of temple control to Buddhists.
Formation of an independent committee for an impartial investigation.
Ironically, all of this is happening at a time when India’s Chief Justice B.R. Gavai is himself a Buddhist; the country's Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal belongs to a Scheduled Caste community; and Kiren Rijiju, the Minister for Minority Affairs, is also a Buddhist. This raises a significant question: Even with such representatives in top constitutional positions, why does the Buddhist community in India still feel unsafe and neglected?
The management of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya has been a longstanding issue. Under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, the control of the site lies with the state government and a predominantly Hindu management committee, even though the site is central to Buddhist faith. This has led to a persistent demand through the Mahabodhi Liberation Movement that control of the site be handed over to Buddhists.
The Bodh Gaya incidents transcend the domain of religion or ritual. They pose a serious challenge to India's democratic values, minority rights, and religious freedom. The key question is: Under the dominance of majority religious forces, must India’s historically peace-loving Buddhist community endure humiliation and violence?
According to observers, if India wishes to sustain its identity as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural nation, then immediate and impartial action is necessary. If not addressed, this movement may not remain confined to Bodh Gaya—it could evolve into a larger political and cultural issue both nationally and globally.
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