BODHGAYA: A likely showdown between Neo-Buddhists and VHP activists at the Mahtbodhi temple complex here was averted on Oct.22 with the former calling of its demonstration to “liberate” the famous temple from the Hindus.
The decision followed talks between leader of the Neo Buddhists Arya Nagarjun Surai Sasai and Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav who assured him that the issue would be solved within 10 days.
On receiving the assurance the Neo-Buddhis is who had embarked on a 6000 km yatra from Nagpur on September 27 to form a “human chain” around the Mahabodhi temple went inside the sanctum in groups of 10 offered prayers and came out.
However they raised slogans like “Bhagwan Buddh ki jai” and “Surai Sasai cage badho hum tumhare sath hain” inside the temple.
Later talking to journalists Sasai said that he had decided to call off the demonstration on the assurance of the Chief Minister
“But I have warned him that if any concrete proposal is not put forward within 10 days a world. wide agitation will be launched in support of our demand” Sasai said The VHP activists led by Vice President of the State unit Uday Kumar Verma arrived here from Patna “to foil the attempts of the Neo-Buddhists to form a human chain” but did not impose the “Janata curfew” as threatened earlier in view of the changed Circumstances.
Though an ugly scene was staved off at the place where Lord Buddha the apostle of non-violence attained his enlightenment 2500 years ago the holy city wore a deserted look throughout the day.
The district administration as part of preventive measures against untoward incidents had clamped prohibitory orders in the city divided into zones and Placed under armed police pickets
Buses carrying Neo-Buddhists were not allowed to enter the town on Wednesday. Neo-Buddhists were permitted to enter the own on Thursday but not in buses.
They marched barefooted and. Procession raising slogans to demand the “liberation” of the temple.
At the head of the Procession was a Jyoti Rath top which a five-quintal statue of Buddha made of ashtha dhaty (eight metals) was placed.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 6, 1992
