Gangtok: Buddhist monks and supporters in Sikkim are preparing for a peaceful rally on April 26, calling for the repeal of the 76-year-old Bodhgaya Temple Management Act.
Organised by the Sikkim Chapter of the All India Buddhist Forum, the protest aims to bolster ongoing demonstrations in Bodhgaya, where monks from across India have been holding a continuous sit-in for over two months.
The central demand of the movement is to transfer full management of the Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara — one of Buddhism’s holiest sites — to Buddhist control. The 1949 Act currently vests authority in a nine-member committee, a structure that many Buddhist organisations argue undermines the sanctity and autonomy of the religious site.
Sikkim’s involvement is particularly significant, as it is the only Indian state with a dedicated Ecclesiastical Department managing religious affairs. Rally organisers plan to submit formal appeals to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and Ecclesiastical Department Minister Sonam Lama, seeking their support in the national campaign.
The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is revered globally as the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Buddhist leaders have long contended that the temple’s administration should reflect its spiritual importance and be entrusted to the global Buddhist community.
The rally in Sikkim is expected to gather considerable support and highlight the growing momentum behind calls for legislative reform of the temple’s governance.
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