Gathering Arranged by Athawale, Pursuing Supervision of Mahabodhi Temple by Buddhists in Entirety
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale will lead a rally in Mumbai on October 14, calling for the complete control of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya to be handed over to Buddhists. The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is considered the holiest site for Buddhists, where Lord Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment about 2,500 years ago.
The demand for exclusive Buddhist control of the Mahabodhi Mahavihar has persisted for decades. Buddhist monks in Bodh Gaya are actively protesting for 'liberation of the Mahabodhi Temple trust.' Various Buddhist organizations and leaders, including the Maha Bodhi Society founded by Anagarika Dharmapala in the late 19th century, have actively campaigned for full Buddhist control of the Mahabodhi Temple complex.
However, the temple is currently managed under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949. The management of the Mahabodhi Temple has been a topic of contention, with Hindu trustees managing Hindu temples, Muslim trustees managing Muslim dargahs and mosques, and Sikh trustees managing Sikh gurudwaras. According to Athawale, the Mahabodhi Mahavihar is not under the control of Buddhists, and its management should be wholly managed by Buddhists.
Athawale has been advocating for Buddhists' control over the Mahabodhi Temple and has demanded the amendment of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act. He met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to discuss the issue.
The rally will commence from Ranibaug, Byculla, and conclude at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, with the date unanimously decided to commemorate the day when Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956.
The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a significant historical and religious site. Its management remains a contentious issue, with calls for Buddhist control persisting for decades. The rally on October 14 aims to bring attention to this ongoing issue and push for a change in the management of the temple.
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