A senior minister from the Sikkim government has urged the central government to intervene in the ongoing Bodh Gaya Temple Act dispute, highlighting the concerns of the Buddhist community over the governance and management of the sacred Mahabodhi Temple. The minister emphasized that the sentiments of millions of Buddhists in India and around the world must be respected and safeguarded.
The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is one of the holiest sites for Buddhists globally, marking the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. However, its administration has been the subject of a longstanding controversy due to the provisions of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act of 1949. The Act mandates a joint management structure between Buddhists and Hindus, with the Gaya District Magistrate, typically a non-Buddhist, serving as the ex-officio chairperson of the temple management committee.
Calling the current structure outdated and unfair, the Sikkim minister urged the Union Ministry of Culture and the Prime Minister’s Office to take immediate steps to review and amend the Act. He argued that the temple, being a globally revered Buddhist shrine, should be fully managed by Buddhists themselves, without interference from any other religious group.
“The Mahabodhi Temple is the most sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists. It is deeply painful that the community does not have complete authority over its own spiritual center. This is not just a matter of law—it is about faith, heritage, and religious rights,” the minister stated during a press conference held in Gangtok.
He added that the issue is not limited to Sikkim alone but concerns Buddhists across India and abroad. Buddhist leaders and organizations in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and even international bodies have raised similar concerns over the years, demanding full Buddhist control of the temple’s administration.
The minister also noted that India, being a secular democracy, must ensure that every religious community is allowed to manage its own places of worship, especially when those sites hold immense spiritual and historical significance. “Just as Hindu temples are managed by Hindus and mosques by Muslims, Buddhists should be entrusted with the administration of Bodh Gaya,” he said.
Several Buddhist organizations have welcomed the minister’s statement, stating that it gives strength to their long-standing demand for reform. The All India Bhikkhu Sangha, in a recent statement, reiterated that the Mahabodhi Temple should be declared an independent Buddhist shrine under Buddhist control, free from political or religious interference.
The Sikkim minister has also proposed the formation of a high-level committee comprising Buddhist scholars, monks, legal experts, and central government officials to re-evaluate the existing Bodh Gaya Temple Act and suggest amendments that reflect the present-day aspirations of the Buddhist community.
This issue has gained renewed attention amid growing awareness of minority rights and cultural autonomy in India. Many in the Buddhist community see this as a defining moment that could pave the way for greater religious freedom and respect for spiritual institutions.
The minister further stated that his government would write formally to the Centre and also mobilize support from other Northeastern states with significant Buddhist populations. He appealed to the central leadership to treat the matter with urgency and sensitivity, in line with India’s deep-rooted Buddhist heritage and international standing as a promoter of peace and harmony.
As calls for reform gain momentum, many observers believe that the Centre may have to take a serious look at the Bodh Gaya Temple Act and consider amendments that align with modern democratic values and religious self-governance.
