New Delhi, May 2025: In a powerful demonstration of religious rights and representation, Dr. Rajeev Menon, National Secretary-General of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), led a major protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding a reconstitution of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC).
The protest brought attention to long-standing concerns over the governance of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar—one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites and a UNESCO World Heritage landmark. Dr.Rajeev Menon and his supporters called for urgent reforms to the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, which currently mandates that the nine-member BTMC includes four Hindus, four Buddhists, and the Gaya District Magistrate as the ex-officio chairman—who, by law, must be Hindu.
This structure has sparked discontent among Buddhist communities, who argue that the current system denies them rightful authority over their own place of worship. Backed by organizations like the All India Buddhist Forum, Dr.Rajeev Menon urged the central government to amend the Act, ensuring Buddhists are given greater administrative control in line with the temple’s spiritual and historical significance.
“This is not just about management—it’s about respect, identity, and justice,” Dr.Rajeev Menon said during the protest. “A Buddhist site of global reverence must reflect the voice of its own people.”
The protest marks a significant chapter in the growing movement to ensure equitable representation for Buddhists in the temple’s administration. With increasing national and international attention, the demand for reform is gaining momentum, prompting broader dialogues among policymakers, religious leaders, and civil society.
Around 500 active RPI workers, including Delhi President Fakre Alam, National Vice President Nuzartha Jahan, Delhi Secretary Deepak Chawla, Delhi General Secretary Athul, Delhi Vice President Harsh, and Kerala Working President Rajeev Das, participated in a gathering where a nationwide protest was planned.
