Agartala: Jan 12. Members of the Buddhist community in Agartala staged a peace march on Sunday demanding that all nine members of the Bodh Gaya Management Committee be from the Buddhist faith and calling for the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple (BT) Act, 1949.
The protest was organized by the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF), Tripura State Committee, as part of a nationwide campaign ahead of a major peace march scheduled in Bodh Gaya on February 2. The Forum has urged Buddhists across the country to participate in the movement.
The protest was organized by the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF), Tripura State Committee, as part of a nationwide campaign ahead of a major peace march scheduled in Bodh Gaya on February 2. The Forum has urged Buddhists across the country to participate in the movement.
A peace torch march was held at around 2 pm, starting from Benuban Buddha Mandir, passing through Colonel Chowmuhani and Bidurkarta Chowmuhani, and concluding in front of Rabindra Starbharshiki Bhawan. Buddhists from different parts of the state took part in large numbers.
Earlier, a public meeting and discussion session were held at Benuban Buddha Vihara, where leaders highlighted concerns over the current structure of the Bodh Gaya Management Committee. The committee consists of nine members, including the District Magistrate of Gaya as Chairman, with only four Buddhist members, a composition that protesters say sidelines Buddhist voices in decisions related to the Mahabodhi Mahavihara.
Speakers argued that the existing arrangement has repeatedly ignored the religious and administrative concerns of Buddhists, strengthening the demand for scrapping the BT Act, 1949, and restructuring the committee exclusively with Buddhist members.
The programme was attended by Aakash Lama, General Secretary of AIBF; Pratap Chakma, State President; Shanti Bikash Dewan, State General Secretary; Ven. Dr. Khemachara Bhante, Chief Organizer, along with other senior leaders.
