The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is the holiest site in Buddhism, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Despite its deep significance to Buddhists, non-Buddhists manage the temple. Instead, it is controlled by a Brahmin-dominated committee, leaving Buddhists with little authority over their own sacred place. For decades, Buddhist communities across India and the world have been protesting against this unfair system. The main demand is simple: The Mahabodhi Temple should be fully managed by Buddhists, without any interference from Brahmin authorities or the state government but it’s fully opposite that’s where the The Bodh Gaya MahaBodhi Controversy began.

The Bodh Gaya MahaBodhi Controversy: The Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949

In 1949, after India’s independence, the government passed the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, which created a nine-member management committee to run the temple. However, they structured this committee to keep Buddhists out of power.

• 5 members are Brahmins, including the District Magistrate (DM) as chairman which is a hindu.
• Only 4 members are Buddhists.

This means that Brahmins/Hindus always have the majority vote, and the final authority over any temple decision rests with the DM, who is almost always a Hindu.

Why is this unfair?

• No Buddhist temple in the world is managed by non-Buddhists.
• No major Hindu temple in India is controlled by Buddhists.
• The Mahabodhi Temple is purely a Buddhist site, yet Brahmins continue to dominate its management.

Recent Protests: Hunger Strike Against Brahmin Domination (The Bodh Gaya MahaBodhi Controversy)

In February 2024, protests against Brahmin control of the Mahabodhi Temple intensified. Akash Lama, a leading Buddhist activist, along with others, started a hunger strike demanding full Buddhist control over the temple.

Harassment of Protestors

• Protestors have faced continuous harassment from Brahmin authorities and state officials.
• The local administration tried to stop the protest, citing VIP movement.
• Despite the pressure, the demonstrators continued their hunger strike and lit 108 butter lamps as a symbol of their unbreakable determination.

Unfair Rules Favoring Brahmins:

1. Brahmins Hold the Final Authority

One of the biggest injustices in the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949 is that the final authority over the temple rests with the Bihar State Government.

• The Hindu-dominated government of Bihar has the power to make decisions about the Mahabodhi Temple.
• If there is any dispute between Buddhists and Brahmins regarding temple management or land, the state government has the final say.
• Since Hindus have always dominated Bihar’s leadership, the government has consistently favored Brahmins in matters related to the Mahabodhi Temple.

This means that Buddhists have no legal authority to manage their own temple. Even if Buddhists file complaints or request changes, the government can ignore them—as it has done for decades.

3. Brahmins Control Their Own Sacred Properties, But Buddhists Do Not

Brahmins fully control the Saivite Monastery (Shaiva Math) inside the Mahabodhi complex.

• The Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949 clearly states that the Mahabodhi Temple Management Committee has NO jurisdiction over the Saivite Monastery.
• This means that Brahmins have complete control over their own monastery, and no Buddhist authority can interfere in its management.

However, the same law does not give Buddhists control over the Mahabodhi Temple.

• If Brahmins can have full control over their sacred places, why can’t Buddhists have full control over their holiest temple?
• The law clearly protects Brahmin interests while denying Buddhists their rights.

This is not just unfair; this is a direct violation of religious freedom. Every religious community in the world controls its own sacred sites, but Buddhists are denied this right at Mahabodhi Temple.

Renewed Buddhist Protests and Legal Battle

In recent years, the demand for Buddhist control has intensified. Buddhist leaders have filed several protests and petitions, arguing that Brahmins have no historical or spiritual claim over the Mahabodhi Temple.

• In 2012, the Supreme Court of India admitted a petition filed by Buddhist monk Bhante Arya Nagarjun Shurai Sasai, challenging the constitutional validity of the 1949 Act.
• In 2024, protests erupted in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and other states, with Buddhists submitting memorandums to the President of India demanding exclusive rights over the temple.
• The issue has even reached global Buddhist communities, who support the demand for an independent Buddhist administration.

The Buddhist Demand: A Fair and Just Solution

Buddhists worldwide are demanding:

1. The Mahabodhi Temple must be handed over to a Buddhist trust.
2. No non-Buddhist interference in the temple’s management.
3. A new law to remove Brahmin control over the temple.

What Buddhist Leaders Are Saying

🟡 “Every religious community in the world has full control over their sacred sites, except Buddhists. The Mahabodhi Temple is our holiest place, yet we are denied the right to manage it. This is injustice.”
— Akash Lama, All India Buddhist Forum

🟡 “For over seven decades, Buddhists have been denied the right to manage our own temple. The 1949 Act was designed to keep Buddhists out of power. We demand that this injustice be corrected now.”
— Dr. Vilas Kharat, Sanatan Dhamma Organization

🟡 “Being peaceful does not mean we agree. Just because we remain silent does not mean we accept everything. This is why we are on a hunger strike. Until we get written assurance, we are not leaving this place.”
— Akash Lama

Conclusion

The Mahabodhi Temple controversy is not just a religious issue—it is about justice, equality, and respect for Buddhist heritage.

For centuries, Brahmins have dominated Buddhist sites in India, erasing the religion’s influence from its own birthplace. Now, Buddhists are rising to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.