Gangtok: A delegation of monks from Sikkim, led by Ongdi Pintso Bhutia, state convenor of the All India Buddhist Forum, has joined the ongoing protest in Bodh Gaya.
The protest, organised by the All India Buddhist Forum, demands the transfer of the management of the sacred Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara to Buddhists in India.
The protest is focused on repealing the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act of 1949, which established a nine-member committee to oversee the temple’s administration.
Critics argue that only four members of the committee are Buddhists, while the remaining five may not share the faith. Furthermore, the position of chairman is held by the District Magistrate, fueling discontent among protesters.
Supporters of the protest, including volunteers from Ladakh, have gone on a hunger strike to express their frustration. They demand reforms that would ensure all nine members of the committee are Buddhists, aligning with the temple’s religious significance.
The ongoing demonstration has drawn widespread attention to the issue, with protesters seeking more equitable representation for the Buddhist community in the temple’s management.