BUDDHIST MONKS PROTEST

UPSC Relevance

GS-1: Indian Culture – Buddhist Heritage

GS-2: Governance – Religious Freedom, Minority Rights, State’s Role in Temple Management

GS-4: Ethics – Balancing Rights and Duties, Religious Coexistence

Key Highlights

Context

1. The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, marks the site of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment.
2. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, it is governed by the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949.
3. The BTMC includes four Buddhists, four Hindus, and a Hindu District Magistrate as ex-officio chair.

Protest Details

• Since February 12, 2024, approximately 300 monks have protested.
• They demand full Buddhist control of the temple and repeal of the 1949 Act.
• The All-India Bhikkhu Federation (AIBF) calls the law outdated and discriminatory.

Key Issues

• Monks argue the BTMC lacks sufficient Buddhist representation, alleging Hindu dominance over a Buddhist site.
• The Act’s mandate for a Hindu chairman is seen as infringing on Buddhist autonomy.
• A 2012 Supreme Court petition by monks seeks the Act’s repeal.

Historical and Political Context

1. Enacted in 1949, the Act stirred controversy in the 1960s when a Muslim IAS officer chaired the BTMC.
2. Protests occurred in West Bengal in 2015, led by AIBF.
3. The issue has resurfaced in Parliament, notably during Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 discussions.

Governance Challenges

• The BTMC faces accusations of financial opacity, with a ₹880 lakh fine in 2023 for FCRA violations.
• Foreign donations are scrutinized under FCRA 2010.
• Internal divisions among Buddhists complicate unified demands.

Significance

• Raises questions about religious rights, secularism, and minority autonomy.
• Mirrors debate on state involvement in religious sites (e.g., Sabarimala, Waqf boards, Church governance).
• Highlights tensions between religion, identity, and governance in India.

Analysis & Way Forward

• Reassessing colonial and post-independence temple laws is crucial to align with constitutional religious freedom guarantees (Articles 25-28).
• A more inclusive governance model for multi-faith sacred sites is needed.
• Dialogue among Buddhist monks, civil society, and authorities should be prioritized.
• The Supreme Court must clarify the legality of religious representation in sacred site management.