Monk fighting temple corruption receives threats

Patna: A Hindu monk, who has filed a criminal complaint against top officials of the Bodh Gaya temple in Bihar for allegedly cutting a branch of the sacred Bodhi tree, is receiving threats to his life.

Arup Brahmachari, the monk, was assaulted by some men allegedly owing allegiance to a top official of the temple on August 24.

The monk, in his 30s, has written to the president, the prime minister and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), drawing attention to the "corruption" at Bodh Gaya, considered sacred to millions the world over. It is believed Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree about 2,550 years ago.

"I have informed the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the prime minister's office about the threat to my life after I refused to withdraw the complaint against top officials of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee," Brahmachari said.

"I want to fight corruption at Bodh Gaya. I am waiting for their response," he said.

Conspiracy to kill

In a letter to NHRC after he was assaulted, the monk requested the commission to send a team for a probe.

"Please take immediate steps to save my life. There is a big conspiracy to kill me. The Gaya district administration is in league with the temple authorities," Brahmachari alleged.

He lodged a police complaint on August 24 after the assault on him. In his complaint, the monk said a conspiracy has been hatched to kill him because he had filed a criminal case at a Gaya court against top officials of Bodh Gaya temple management committee. "They want to eliminate me to stop my fight against corruption at the Bodh Gaya temple," Brahamchari said.

He said the top officials of the temple committee had tried to bribe him to withdraw the case against them. A few months ago, Brahmachari had filed a criminal case against officials of the temple management committee in the court of the chief judicial magistrate of Gaya.

"I have filed a criminal case against officials of the temple with evidence, including eight photographs, to substantiate my claim that a branch of the Bodhi tree had been cut," Brahmachari said.