GAYA, august 3, 2013: While welcoming the amendment of the Mahabodhi Temple Act 1949 to make the post of the DM-cum-chairman faith/religion neutral, the All India Monks' Association has said that a good beginning has been made but a couple of more amendments were required to meet the minimum aspirations of the Buddhists who, as per the settled principle of the management of places of worship by the followers of that religion legitimately expect a major/decisive say in the shrine management. 

The Monks' Association is the parent organization of the All India Mahabodhi Mahavihar Liberation Action Committee agitating for Buddhist control over the Bodh Gaya shrine. 

The Monks' Association general secretary Bhadant Prajyasheel Thero, while welcoming the amendment to delete the Hindu DM clause from the Act to make Gaya DM irrespective of his/her religious belief, the ex-officio chairman of the Temple Management Committee, said the amendment shows the present Bihar government in a positive light and the intention of chief minister Nitish Kumar is apparently good. Criticizing the previous government of the Lalu-Rabri regime, the Monk Association general secretary said the previous government is taking the Buddhists for a ride. 

At the same time, the monk said single amendment is not enough to win the confidence of the Buddhists. 

Asked about the minimum expectations of the Buddhists, Bhadant Prajyasheel Thero said nothing less than the reservation of the post of secretary for Buddhists and majority in the management committee will be acceptable to the Buddhists, who, for more than 120 years have been fighting for Buddhist control over the shrine. 

The climb down by the monks, who, earlier, did not want anything less than total Buddhist control over shrine management, besides being significant, is in conformity with the Gavai-Kunal formula for the permanent settlement of the vexed issue. However, according to sources in the government further amendments in the Act, as of now are not in the pipeline. The amendment passed by the state legislature a couple of days back, was necessitated as the 'Hindu' identity of the DM to enable him/her to become the ex-officio chairman of the Temple committee is in blatant violation of the principles of secularism enshrined in the constitution as the organs of the state owe allegiance only to the constitution of India and are required to remain neutral in the matters affecting faith/religion. 

However, in case of contending parties entering into agreement to end the controversy, the government may positively consider suitable amendments to incorporate the points of agreement between the Hindus and Buddhists, say government sources. 

Bihar State Religious Trust Board chairman Acharya Kishore Kunal is optimistic about obtaining the consent/blessings of the Shankaracharya and other top religious leaders of the Hindus to end the controversy that has caused considerable embarrassment at the international level. 

Source: The Times of India, DT. August 3, 2013.