Staff Reporter 

NAMSAI, Dec 19: A peaceful rally was held at Namsai on Friday demanding the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949. The rally was jointly organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Bhikkhu Sangha and the All India Buddhist Forum, drawing participation from monks, nuns, and members of the Buddhist community.
Addressing the gathering, Akash Lama, General Secretary of the All India Buddhist Forum, strongly criticised the continued enforcement of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, terming it “unjust and discriminatory towards the Buddhist community.” He stated that the Act deprives Buddhists of their rightful authority over the Mahabodhi Mahavihara, the holiest site of Buddhism where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
“The Mahabodhi Temple is the spiritual heart of Buddhism. It is deeply painful that even after decades of independence, Buddhists do not have full control over their most sacred shrine,” Akash Lama said. He urged the central government to respect the sentiments of millions of Buddhists across India and the world by repealing the Act without further delay.
He further emphasised that the demand is purely religious and constitutional, not political, and called for the formation of a Buddhist-only management committee for the Mahabodhi Temple in line with the principles of religious freedom and equality.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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