GANGTOK, : All India Buddhist
Forum (Sikkim Chapter) held a press conference today to announce a peaceful
rally in Gangtok on April 26 in support of the ongoing protest at Bodh Gaya,
Bihar over the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949.
The
press conference had representatives from different Buddhist communities in
Sikkim including Sushma Tamang (Tamang community), S.D.
Lepcha (Lepcha community), Sonam Sherpa (Sherpa community), Sangay Gyatso Bhutia
(Bhutia community), Rohan Gurung (Gurung community) and convenor Ongdi Lama.
At
the centre of the protest is the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, which established the
Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) to manage Mahabodhi Temple, the
site of the Buddha's enlightenment and one of the holiest pilgrimage
destinations for Buddhists worldwide. Critics of the Act have long voiced
discontent over its provision allowing a non-Buddhist majority on the
management committee. Currently, only four of the nine members are Buddhist,
with the district magistrate of Gaya, a non-Buddhist government official,
serving as the chairperson.
Addressing
the press conference, Sonam Sherpa, highlighted the deep dissatisfaction among
Buddhists with the current arrangement. “This is not merely an administrative
issue. It's about preserving the sanctity and traditions of our most sacred
site,” he said. He further noted that
the peaceful protest at Bodh Gaya has continued for over 65 days, calling for
the repeal of the BT Act and the establishment of a Buddhist-majority
management.
Sherpa
informed that the solidarity rally in Gangtok will begin at Zero Point, pass
through MLA Hostel and MG Marg, and conclude at Manan Kendra. Sherpa said the
event has received permission from the Sikkim Police and urged all residents of
Sikkim to participate. “Bodh Gaya is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists
worldwide. It is our moral duty to stand in solidarity with the protestors and to
raise awareness about this pressing issue,” he stated.
Sangay Gyatso Bhutia
provided historical context to the agitation, tracing Buddhist discontent back
to colonial times when the temple was managed by a Hindu Mahant. “Even then,
Buddhist pilgrims from countries like Sri Lanka, Burma and Japan were dismayed
to find Hindu rituals dominating their holiest shrine,” he said. Bhutia
recalled the efforts of Anagarika Dharmapala, a Sri Lankan reformer who led the
Mahabodhi Movement in the late 19th century to reclaim Buddhist control over
the temple. Despite his efforts, British colonial authorities refused to
intervene, citing religious neutrality.
Bhutia
emphasized that the current protest is a continuation of that historic
struggle. “We are not asking for special treatment, only that the management of
a Buddhist site be in Buddhist hands. This is a matter of dignity, faith, and
cultural heritage,” he asserted.
With
the April 26 rally, the All India Buddhist Forum (Sikkim Chapter) hopes to draw
national attention to the issue and build momentum for legislative reform.
