Assam: RSEWM Appeals for Justice in Bodh Gaya Temple Management, Submits Memorandum to CM

A Correspondent

DIBRUGARH: Rajkumar Siddhartha Education and Welfare Mission (RSEWM) recently submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister  and Governor through Dibrugarh District Commissioner seeking justice for the Buddhist religious community in context of the management of Mahabodhi Mahavihar (Temple) at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.

RSEWM is a society for educational, social-cultural and economical development and destitute homes and schools. “We Buddhist people of India on behalf of the state branch committee of the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) and representing all Buddhist organisations in India bring to your immediate attention the grave injustice and constitutional violations that have been perpetuated against the Buddhist religious community  for over seven decades,” RSEWM stated in the memorandum.

It further stated, “The Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, the holiest site for Buddhists worldwide and a UNESCO world heritage site continues to be governed under the Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949 in a manner that violates the rights and dignity of millions of Buddhists. This situation not only undermines the fundamental rights guaranteed to Buddhist under the constitution of India but also disrespects the sanctity of the Buddha’s teaching and cultural significance of this state.”

“The Bodh Gaya temple management committee (BTMC), as per the BT Act of 1949, consists of nine members, of whom only four are Buddhists. The remaining members, including the District Magistrate as chairman are non-Buddhist, predominately Brahmins. This glaring disparity creates an imbalanced power structure where the interests and spiritual values of the Buddhist community are at risk of being subordinated to the interests of other religious groups,” the memorandum stated.

It further added, “The appointment of non-Buddhist members with different religious background introduces not only conflict of interest but also a deep cultural disconnect. How can individuals who do not fully understand the spritual, cultural and religious significance of Buddhism be entrusted with safeguarding the holiest temple in Buddhism? It is both an injustice and an indignity that must be immediately rectified.”

“We demand that the Bihar government immediately dissolve the Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949 and replace it with legislation that is fully complied with the Indian Constitution, guaranteeing the Buddhist community full control over the Mahabodhi Mahavihara,” it said.

It further said, “We call for the formation of a new “Bodhgaya Mahabodhi Mahavihara Chaitya Trust”, consisting solely of members of the Buddhist community, particularly senior monks, legal experts and  heritage managers from both India and the international Buddhist community.”

Also Read: Assam: Traffic advisory issued for Silchar-Hailakandi Road

Also Watch: