New Delhi:Scores of Buddhists led by the Vishwa Bodha Sangha staged a mass demonstration here on Monday, demanding
that the management of Bodh Gaya, a prominent pilgrim destination for Buddhists, should be completely handed over to the Buddhists. Bodh Gaya is regarded as a
holy spot since Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under a
huge tree here and it still exists although in a pitiable state, even after thousands
of years. The demonstrators said the Bodh Gaya temple presently run by an
eight-member
committee comprising four Buddhists and four Hindus be handed over to Budddhists.
Briefing the issue to the media Vishwa Bodha Sangha president Banti Sangha Priya
said : "It is responsibility of the government of India to maintain the Buddhists
religious places in the country. Our second demand is that Bodh Gaya temple should
be liberated from Hindus. Even today they have a hold over it." "Our third demand
is that wages of poor beedi worker should be raised from rupees 100 to 300. And
remuneration for building a house to them also be increased from rupees 100 thousand
to 300 thousand. These are our demands to government of India," he added.
