Supreme Court Directs Bodh Gaya Temple Act Challenge to High Court
The Supreme Court declined a plea challenging the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, advising the petitioner to approach the relevant high court. The act, concerning the Mahabodhi temple's management, remains contested, with calls for amendment to transfer control to Buddhists.
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- India
The Supreme Court has redirected a legal challenge to the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, to the jurisdiction of a high court, refusing to entertain the petition itself. The plea sought to annul the act on grounds of being ultra vires but was dismissed under Article 32.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains a vital religious landmark. The temple area is revered as the enlightenment site of Lord Gautam Buddha.
Rashtriya Lok Morcha leader Upendra Kushwaha has publicly advocated amending the 1949 Act to grant Buddhists control of the Mahabodhi Temple's management. However, calls for legislative changes remain stalled as the act's legal framework continues to be debated.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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