What Happened So Far at Bodh Gaya Temple?

Buddhist monks have been protesting near the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya since February 12, 2025, demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act (BTA) of 1949, which governs the sacred site where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) leads the movement, now in its 48th day, with monks on a relay hunger strike at Domuhan, 2 km from the temple. They argue that the Act denies Buddhists full control over their holiest shrine, as it mandates an eight-member management committee with equal Hindu and Buddhist representation, chaired by the Gaya District Magistrate—an arrangement they call unjust.

The BTA, passed by the Bihar Assembly post-Independence, aimed to resolve a historical dispute between Buddhist and Hindu heads over the temple’s control. The site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, fell under Hindu management in 1590 when a Hindu monk established the Bodh Gaya Math during Akbar’s reign, following Buddhism’s decline after Bakhtiyar Khilji’s 13th-century invasion. The 1949 Act transferred control from the Hindu mahant to the committee, but Buddhists resent the Hindu majority influence, especially since the chairperson was required to be Hindu until a 2013 amendment allowed for any faith. Protesters demand an all-Buddhist committee, citing disruptions from Hindu rituals like drum-beating, which they say hinder meditation.

The protests have escalated, with rallies in cities like Mumbai, Ladakh, and Mysuru, and a global petition gaining over 5,000 signatures. On February 27, Bihar Police forcibly removed fasting monks, admitting them to a medical college, prompting outrage and appeals to international bodies like UNESCO. The AIBF vows to continue until the Act is repealed, while the Bihar government faces pressure ahead of the October Assembly elections, especially with plans to develop the Buddha Circuit for global tourism.