Sikkim Convenor urges Buddhist community to support protest in Bodh Gaya

The Sikkim Convenor of the All India Buddhist Forum, Ongdi Pintso Bhutia, has appealed to the Buddhist community in Sikkim to extend their support to the ongoing protest in Bodh Gaya. In a video message, he expressed disappointment that no one from Sikkim has yet joined the movement, which has seen participation from Buddhists across the country.

The protest, led by the All India Buddhist Forum, is demanding that the management of the sacred Mahabodhi Buddha Vihara be handed over to Buddhists in India. Supporters, including volunteers from Ladakh, have been on a hunger strike, calling for the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act.

The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) Act of 1949 established a nine-member committee to oversee the administration of the temple. However, only four members are Buddhists, while the remaining five, including the chairman; who is always the District Magistrate are Hindus. Protesters argue that this is unfair and are demanding that all nine members of the committee be Buddhists.

"We met the Chief Minister of Sikkim, the Buddhist Minister, and the Governor on November 26 regarding this issue, but there has been no response. The protest is still ongoing, yet Sikkim's Buddhist community has not taken part," Bhutia said.

He urged people to set aside political differences and focus on their faith. "We must think about Dharma. In Sikkim, we have Dharma Gurus, and even they should send support for the peaceful protest in Bodh Gaya. As Buddhists, we should stand together," he said.

Bhutia said that he and a few others from Sikkim would soon travel to Bodh Gaya to join the protest. He invited interested individuals to join them, recalling that in 2023, Sikkim participants had supported the movement through donations. "This time, we are going individually, but I believe more of us should take part," he added.