Protests Over Bodh Gaya Temple Act 1949

April 1, 2025

In early 2024, nearly 100 Buddhist monks from the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) began protests at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. They demanded the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA) of 1949. This Act established a management committee for the temple, but its structure has been a point of contention.

About the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA) 1949

The BTA created an eight-member management committee for the Mahabodhi Temple. It aimed to provide equal representation for both Buddhists and Hindus. However, the District Magistrate (DM) was made the ex-officio chairperson, leading to perceptions of Hindu dominance in temple administration.

Historical Context

The original temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Bodh Gaya is one of the four sacred Buddhist sites, along with Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha), Sarnath (first sermon), and Kusinagar (parinirvana). It served as a major Buddhist site until the Pala dynasty. The decline of Buddhism began in the 13th century due to invasions by Bakhtiyar Khilji. In 1590, a Hindu monk established the Bodh Gaya Mutt, leading to Hindu control over the temple.

Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA), 1949

Established an 8-member management committee with equal Buddhist and Hindu representation.
The district magistrate (DM) is the ex-officio chairperson, who historically belonged to the Hindu majority community, leading to Buddhist opposition.
Buddhist groups have been demanding full autonomy over the temple.

Government Interventions

The BTA was enacted to address disputes between Hindu and Buddhist religious leaders. In 2013, the Bihar government amended the Act to allow the DM to be of any faith. In the early 1990s, a proposed Bodh Gaya Mahavihara Bill aimed to transfer management to Buddhists but was never passed.

Significance of the Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the four most sacred sites in Buddhism, marking where Buddha attained Enlightenment. The temple complex includes the sacred Bodhi Tree, the Vajrasana (Diamond Throne), and a statue of Buddha. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.

Previous Protests

Prior to the 2024 protests, monks rallied in November 2023 and submitted memoranda to the Central and State governments. Their efforts did not yield results, prompting further protests. In 2012, a writ petition to repeal the BTA was filed in the Supreme Court but remains unresolved.

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