SC to Hear Final Plea on Mahabodhi Mahavihar Case on 29 July
Nagpur, India: The long-standing legal battle seeking exclusive management rights of the Mahabodhi Mahavihar in Bodh Gaya for Buddhists is nearing its conclusion. The Supreme Court has scheduled the final hearing of the petition on 29 July 2025.
The petition was originally filed in 2012 by Bhadant Arya Nagarjuna Surai Sasai and Gajendra Pantawane. During the recent hearing, the petitioners’ lawyer, Advocate Shailesh Narnaware, brought attention to the 13-year delay in the case and urged the court to resolve the matter promptly in the interest of protecting Buddhist rights.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Prasanna Varale took note of the delay and directed all involved parties to submit their written replies by 22 July, clearly stating that no further extensions will be granted.
The petition challenges several provisions of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, which currently allows joint management of the temple by both Hindus and Buddhists. However, the petitioners argue that this arrangement violates the religious freedom of the Buddhist community under Articles 13, 25, 26, and 29 of the Indian Constitution.
The revised plea now seeks to declare the entire Bodh Gaya Temple Act unconstitutional, claiming it undermines the autonomy of the Buddhist community to manage their sacred site.
Drawing a comparison with the Ayodhya judgment, where the Supreme Court allocated an alternative site for the Babri Masjid and handed the disputed land to Hindus, the petitioners have suggested that a similar arrangement could be made by providing Hindus with an alternative worship site, while handing over full control of Mahabodhi Mahavihar to Buddhists.
The upcoming hearing is expected to be a landmark moment, especially for the Buddhist community, as it concerns one of their most sacred pilgrimage sites — the very place where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.
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