Protests Nationwide Demand Buddhist Control of Mahabodhi Temple

Protests have erupted across India, led by Buddhist organizations demanding full control of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, a site sacred to Buddhism. These demonstrations, which have spread from Ladakh to Mumbai, call for the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949 that mandates shared governance between Hindus and Buddhists. Protesters argue that Hindu rituals and the presence of Hindu monks at the temple violate Buddhist traditions, asserting that the site is being transformed into a Hindu pilgrimage location. Following the forcible removal of protesting monks by police, the protests have intensified, with participants engaging in peaceful gatherings and hunger strikes. Leaders within the Buddhist community, such as Akash Lama of the All India Buddhist Forum, emphasize that other religious sites are managed by their respective faiths, highlighting the perceived inequity in the current arrangement. The ongoing tension has sparked a broader discourse on religious representation and rights in India.