Rahul Doddamani, State Director of Bodhagaya Mahabodhi Mahavihar Mukti Andolana and Upasika and Upasaka Charitable Trust, Karnataka, said that a rally will be organized at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on December 6 to demand the handover of Mahabodhi Mahavihar to Buddhist administration.
He was addressing a press conference in Yadgir on Friday.
He said that the Mahabodhi Mahavihar was built during the period of King Ashoka and was brought under the control of the Hindu religion by the Bodhagaya Temple Act. This move was completely unconstitutional. Therefore, we request the government to withdraw such a move and hand over the Mahavihar to Buddhists, he further said.
The Bengaluru proposed rally is a preliminary in support of the nationwide agitation – Delhi Chalo for the Liberation of Mahabodhi Mahavira – to be held on February 12, he said, adding that around 10,000 people, including activists of various organisations, women’s organisations, students, Buddhists and others are expected to participate in Bengal and others.
Bhagwanth Anwar, an activist, said that Sannati, a historical site for Buddhists, should be developed as declared in the previous year’s budget on 200 acres of area, on the model of Buddhavan, which was developed in Andhra Pradesh.
He also urged the state government to form a “Karnataka Buddhist Development Board” to develop the Scheduled Castes and Buddhists economically and socially and a holiday should be declared to celebrate Buddha Jayanthi and around 5–10 acres of land should be reserved in each Gram and Taluk Panchayat limit and also in the District Headquarters for the establishment of Buddha Viharhart.
The state government should take immediate measures to protect the inscriptions of King Ashoka era at Sannati, Maski, Gavimath, Palkigundu, Nittur, Udungol, Bharhmagiri, Jating Rameshwar, Rajghatta and other such places.
Mareppa Bukkal, Naganna Kalladevanahalli, Kashinath Natekar, Venkatesh, Sharanu Natekar, Chandrakant Chalavadi, Honnappa and Chandrappa were present.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 19:48 IST
