Why is Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya, most sacred shrine for Buddhists worldwide, under Brahmanical control?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* 

Remembering #BabasahebAmbedkar on his #MahaparinirvanDiwas (December 6). Interestingly, even those who never respected Dr. Ambedkar's ideas are now shouting #JaiBhim. The forces that lack genuine faith in the #Constitution of India are singing its praises. Yes, the same forces that demolished a 400-year-old mosque in Ayodhya. The same forces who want to excavate every site to claim there was once a temple there but resist returning Buddhist places of worship that were forcibly or violently taken over by the Brahmanical elite.

Take the case of the Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya, the most sacred shrine for Buddhists worldwide. It remains under Brahmanical control, and neither the state nor the central government seems interested in returning it to the Buddhists. In fact, Shivlingas have been installed there. Hundreds of Buddhist sites and statues have been appropriated and converted into Hindu gods and goddesses, yet any discussion on this issue is stifled.

This nation has been manipulated into perpetually debating Hindu-Muslim issues, allowing fanatics on both sides to benefit at the expense of others. Why not confront the history of Buddhism in this country and examine how it was co-opted and eliminated by Brahmanical forces?

Babasaheb Ambedkar sought to revive Buddhism in India. His #Navayana was an ethical and rational reinterpretation of #Buddha's philosophy. Today, it is vital for us to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of the #Constitution, ensuring that all citizens of #India, regardless of their faith, receive equal opportunities and live with dignity and respect.

Unfortunately, our rulers appear preoccupied with conspiracy theories and keeping minorities on edge. Such divisive politics will not lead India to greater heights. Indian leadership could learn from Western countries and even #Russia about managing diversity and building unity. Mistakes have been made, and no one claims Indian #Secularism is perfect. However, secularism in India has often been shaped by Brahmanical elitism, dominating academia, media, and politics.

True secularism would have succeeded if it had addressed caste inequities and social hierarchies that fracture our social fabric. The reluctance to engage with the caste question has been a glaring weakness.

India once held the moral high ground globally, providing a model for majoritarian-dominated societies. Secularism here was not anti-religion; it aimed to keep the state neutral while leaving religion as a personal matter. The state’s role was to be a welfare provider, ensuring social security for all citizens without discrimination.

Now, 75 years later, India seems to be turning into a Brahmanical state, dictating what to eat, think, and believe. The state apparatus increasingly aligns with religious agendas, emboldening those who oppose peace and harmony. This trajectory appears to be heading toward a dangerous "final solution" mentality.

The mainstreaming of Hindutva’s anti-Muslim rhetoric only strengthens radical jihadis in Pakistan and Bangladesh, creating further instability. India cannot afford poor relations with its neighbors, as it undermines regional stability and prosperity.

India’s rich, syncretic cultural heritage—spanning Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, and Christian traditions—should have been a tool for global influence. However, the state’s vilification of Muslims is eroding this legacy, posing a severe threat to India's national interest.

Dr. Ambedkar envisioned an India where #Equality, #Liberty, and #Fraternity are upheld, guided by the Constitution as the nation's moral compass. This vision can only be achieved if the Constitution is implemented impartially, ensuring every citizen—irrespective of #Religion, #Caste, #Gender, or #Region—feels protected and valued.

Let us strive to rebuild #India on the foundation of equal partnership among all its citizens.

---

*Human rights defender