📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sumitsurai
Religion
Sikkim Buddhist Forum seeks amendment to Bodh Gaya Temple Act, demands Buddhist-only panel
✍️ indiatodayne.in
🗓 29 Sep 2026, 03:16 AM
👁 16
The Sikkim Buddhist Forum has formally requested changes to the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, urging that the temple’s governing body be limited to Buddhists only.
The Sikkim Buddhist Forum (SBF) submitted a petition to the central government asking for an amendment to the Bodh Gaya Temple Act. The forum argues that the current provisions allow non‑Buddhist entities to participate in the temple’s administration, which it believes undermines the religious sanctity of the site.
SBF’s proposal calls for a management panel composed exclusively of practicing Buddhists, citing the temple’s status as a major pilgrimage centre for the global Buddhist community. The forum also highlighted the need for clearer guidelines on the appointment process to ensure that the temple’s affairs remain aligned with Buddhist traditions.
The Bodh Gaya Temple Act, enacted in 2013, was intended to regulate the administration of the Mahabodhi complex and related institutions. While the act introduced a mixed‑community management structure, SBF maintains that a Buddhist‑only board would better protect the heritage and religious practices associated with the site.
The government has not yet responded to the petition, and officials indicated that any amendment would require parliamentary deliberation. Stakeholders from other religious groups have been asked to submit their views before any legislative change is considered.
The issue has drawn attention from Buddhist organisations across India, who see the demand as part of a broader effort to safeguard Buddhist heritage sites.
SBF’s proposal calls for a management panel composed exclusively of practicing Buddhists, citing the temple’s status as a major pilgrimage centre for the global Buddhist community. The forum also highlighted the need for clearer guidelines on the appointment process to ensure that the temple’s affairs remain aligned with Buddhist traditions.
The Bodh Gaya Temple Act, enacted in 2013, was intended to regulate the administration of the Mahabodhi complex and related institutions. While the act introduced a mixed‑community management structure, SBF maintains that a Buddhist‑only board would better protect the heritage and religious practices associated with the site.
The government has not yet responded to the petition, and officials indicated that any amendment would require parliamentary deliberation. Stakeholders from other religious groups have been asked to submit their views before any legislative change is considered.
The issue has drawn attention from Buddhist organisations across India, who see the demand as part of a broader effort to safeguard Buddhist heritage sites.