Agartala, January 11:
Demanding the liberation of the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya from what they termed as non-Buddhist control, members of the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF) and various Buddhist organisations on Sunday took out a state-level candle march in Tripura’s capital Agartala, calling for the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949.
A large number of Buddhist devotees participated in the peaceful candlelight procession, which began from the historic Venuban Buddha Vihar—one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Tripura, built during the reign of the Manikya Maharajas when the state was a princely kingdom.
Carrying banners, placards and candles, the participants marched under the banner of the state committee of the AIBF and Buddhist organisations.
Leading the agitation, Akash Lama, All India General Secretary of the All India Buddhist Forum and Buddhist Organisation speaking to reporters said the nationwide movement was aimed at ensuring full control of the Mahabodhi Temple—the holiest site of Buddhism—by the Buddhist community itself.
He stated that on February 12, 2025, Buddhist monks in Bodh Gaya, along with supporters, had launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding reforms in the management of the temple.
At present, the Mahabodhi Temple is managed by the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), which consists of nine members, of whom only four are Buddhists while the remaining five are non-Buddhists.
“This is an extraordinary and unjust situation where the holiest Buddhist shrine is controlled by a committee in which Buddhists are in a minority,” Lama said, adding that the demand is for all nine members of the committee to be Buddhists through repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949.
Lama further argued that under Article 13 of the Indian Constitution, laws enacted before January 26, 1950, which are inconsistent with fundamental rights, are void, and therefore the 1949 Act should be repealed.
He said Buddhist places of worship should enjoy the same autonomy as those of other religions, including Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Muslim institutions.
Lama noted that Buddhist organisations have been carrying out peaceful agitations across the country for the past three years. As part of the movement, a ‘Mashal Rally’ was launched from Nagpur on August 10, 2025, which has now reached Tripura, including Agartala, to mobilise support for the demand.
He said that the AIBF has submitted several memoranda to the Bihar government as well as the Central government on the issue.
A case related to the matter has also been pending before the Supreme Court since 2012, with the next hearing scheduled for February 17.
Lama further stated that hundreds of memoranda supported by signature campaigns have been submitted to Bihar Chief Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the President of India, but so far no concrete action has been taken.
Following the candle march, a large gathering of devotees assembled at Venuban Buddha Vihar, where awareness was raised on the issue and the objectives of the movement were explained.
Leaders of the AIBF said Buddhists believe the existing management structure, which includes state officials and non-Buddhist members, hampers true religious freedom and self-governance at their most sacred site.
