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Supreme Court's Ruling on Mahabodhi Temple Management

The Supreme Court of India has rejected a petition seeking to transfer the control and management of the historic Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya to the Buddhist community. The bench, consisting of Justices M.M. Sundresh and K. Vinod Chandran, granted the petitioner the option to approach the Patna High Court instead. The bench remarked that a petition filed directly under Article 32 of the Constitution was not maintainable, questioning how they could issue a writ under this provision.

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During the hearing, the bench advised the petitioner to seek relief from the High Court, stating, 'We do not consider this matter. Dismissed. You are free to approach the High Court.' The petition was filed by Sulekhatai Nalinita Narayanrao Kumbhare, who urged the Supreme Court to direct amendments to the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949 to ensure that the management and control of the Mahabodhi Temple are entrusted to the Buddhist community, taking into account their religious beliefs and cultural rights.

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The Mahabodhi Temple, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest places in Buddhism, is governed by the 1949 Act, which places its management under a committee overseen by the Bihar government, representing both Hindus and Buddhists. The petition argued that the current governance structure undermines the religious rights of Buddhists and called for exclusive Buddhist control over the temple, emphasizing its profound spiritual significance for the global Buddhist community.

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