Sikkim monks to hold peace rally demanding Buddhist control of Bodhgaya temple

Buddhist monks and supporters plan to gather in Sikkim on April 26, demanding the repeal of the 76-year-old Bodhgaya Temple Management Act. The peace rally, organised by the Sikkim Chapter of the All India Buddhist Forum, aims to pressure authorities to transfer management of the sacred Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara to Buddhist control.

The protest is an extension of ongoing demonstrations in Bodhgaya itself, where monks from across India have maintained a continuous sit-in for more than two months. Their central demand focuses on changing the 1949 legislation that established a nine-member committee to administer one of Buddhism's holiest sites.

Sikkim organisers also plan to submit formal letters to the state's Chief Minister and Ecclesiastical Department Minister Sonam Lama seeking support for their cause. Sikkim holds a unique position in Indian governance as the only state with a dedicated Ecclesiastical Department, which oversees religious affairs.

The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, marks the location where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, making it a site of profound significance for Buddhists worldwide. The current management structure has faced criticism from Buddhist organisations who believe the sacred site should be under Buddhist stewardship.