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BSI Demands Transfer Of Bodh Gaya Mahavihara Temple Management Rights
BSI Seeks Amendment To 1949 Temple Act
Bethala Sudarshanam, President of BSI, AP
(Source: DPJB/BSI)
(Source: DPJB/BSI)
Electronic memorandums sent to leaders
The Buddhist Society of India (BSI) has called for the transfer of full management rights of the Bodh Gaya Mahavihara Temple to the Buddhist community. Electronic memorandums, outlining the demand, have been submitted to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other state leaders across India by Bethala Sudarshanam, President of BSI, Andhra Pradesh. The call for action comes in response to the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, which, according to BSI, violates the constitutional rights of Buddhists.
Violation of Constitutional Rights
The Bodh Gaya Mahavihara Temple, regarded as the holiest site for Buddhists worldwide, has been managed under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949. However, Buddhist leaders argue that this Act contravenes their constitutional rights under Articles 13, 25, and 26 of the Indian Constitution.
Bethala Sudarshanam highlighted the critical constitutional violations in the submitted memorandum:
Article 13 prohibits laws that infringe on the Constitution’s provisions, and the 1949 Act, according to the memorandum, undermines the religious rights of Buddhists by limiting their control over their sacred spaces.
Articles 25 and 26 grant individuals the right to freely practice their religion and establish religious institutions. The current temple administration prevents Buddhists from exercising these rights fully.
The Bodh Gaya Mahavihara Temple, regarded as the holiest site for Buddhists worldwide, has been managed under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949. However, Buddhist leaders argue that this Act contravenes their constitutional rights under Articles 13, 25, and 26 of the Indian Constitution.
Bethala Sudarshanam highlighted the critical constitutional violations in the submitted memorandum:
Article 13 prohibits laws that infringe on the Constitution’s provisions, and the 1949 Act, according to the memorandum, undermines the religious rights of Buddhists by limiting their control over their sacred spaces.
Articles 25 and 26 grant individuals the right to freely practice their religion and establish religious institutions. The current temple administration prevents Buddhists from exercising these rights fully.
Demand for Transfer of Management Rights
The BSI has urged the Bihar government to amend the Bodh Gaya Temple Act to align it with constitutional protections. The demand includes:
Transferring full management rights of the Mahavihara Temple to Buddhists.
Ensuring transparency and equity in the administration of the temple.
Amending the 1949 Act to conform to the Indian Constitution.
The BSI has urged the Bihar government to amend the Bodh Gaya Temple Act to align it with constitutional protections. The demand includes:
Transferring full management rights of the Mahavihara Temple to Buddhists.
Ensuring transparency and equity in the administration of the temple.
Amending the 1949 Act to conform to the Indian Constitution.
Call for Immediate Action
In the memorandum, Sudarshanam emphasized the need for urgent action from Bihar’s Chief Minister and national leaders to rectify what the Buddhist community views as a long-standing injustice. He stressed that transferring management rights would restore the sanctity of the temple for Buddhists and ensure that their religious freedoms are upheld.
This issue has once again sparked a nationwide conversation on the rights of religious communities to manage their own sacred institutions, as Buddhists continue their fight for justice and religious autonomy.
In the memorandum, Sudarshanam emphasized the need for urgent action from Bihar’s Chief Minister and national leaders to rectify what the Buddhist community views as a long-standing injustice. He stressed that transferring management rights would restore the sanctity of the temple for Buddhists and ensure that their religious freedoms are upheld.
This issue has once again sparked a nationwide conversation on the rights of religious communities to manage their own sacred institutions, as Buddhists continue their fight for justice and religious autonomy.
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