New Delhi / Mumbai
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and Republican Party of India (RPI) National President Ramdas Athawale met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament today, demanding that the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya, the holiest site for Buddhists worldwide, be handed over entirely to the Buddhist community.
The Mahabodhi Temple, located at the sacred spot where Lord Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, is currently managed under the Bihar Temple Act of 1949, which mandates a trust consisting of four Buddhist and four Hindu trustees, with the District Collector as the Chairman.
Athawale has called for an amendment to this Act so that the entire trust board, including the Chairperson, is composed solely of Buddhists, thereby ensuring full control of the temple is with the Buddhist community.
During his 10-minute meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Athawale also praised the success of the recent “Sindhur Operation”, a military action attributed to destroying terrorist bases in Pakistan, and congratulated the Prime Minister for his leadership.
Athawale further expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of RPI's share in the Maharashtra state government, despite being a constituent of the ruling NDA at the national level and part of the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. He demanded appropriate representation for the RPI in the Maharashtra government.
He also reminded the Prime Minister of having performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Memorial at Indu Mill in Mumbai, which is being constructed rapidly.
000
