Demolition of parts of Buddhist complex sparks protests in India
Monks accuse authorities of demolishing sacred Buddhist structures without due process as protests intensify over flyover project
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Demolition of parts of a Buddhist religious complex in western India has triggered protests and hunger strikes after monks accused civic authorities of bulldozing sacred structures without due process during a road expansion project.
The demolition took place at the Buddha Bhoomi Foundation complex near Mumbai in Maharashtra state, where authorities used heavy machinery and deployed large numbers of police officers to clear land required for a planned four-lane flyover project connecting key transport corridors.
The operation affected multiple structures within the complex, including Buddhist stupas, memorial installations, monks’ residences and community spaces associated with Ambedkarite Buddhist heritage.
Senior monks and Buddhist groups say authorities moved ahead despite objections and failed to properly consult religious leaders before demolishing parts of the site.
Monks associated with the foundation alleged officials did not provide demolition orders during the operation and failed to conduct hearings or complete procedures required for relocating religious structures.
Videos shared online showed Buddhist monks standing in front of bulldozers and lying before heavy machinery while attempting to stop the demolition of sacred structures, including Buddha statues and memorial sites.
Foundation representatives further alleged that authorities removed Buddhist statues without following customary religious procedures and accused police of using force against monks attempting to stop the operation.
Among those protesting was senior monk Bhante Gautamratna Mahathero, whom foundation members claim was physically restrained during the demolition. Monks have reportedly submitted complaints to police alleging intimidation and mistreatment.
The Buddha Bhoomi Foundation says the complex has existed since the 1970s and serves as an important religious and social center for followers of Ambedkarite Buddhism — a movement inspired by social reformer and jurist Bhimrao Ambedkar, who converted to Buddhism along with hundreds of thousands of followers in protest against caste discrimination.
According to foundation members, the demolition damaged or removed multiple religious structures including Buddha statues, stupas, Panchsheel symbols, monks’ housing, religious halls and a replica of the Bhima Koregaon Vijay Stambh memorial, a symbol carrying deep significance among many Dalit and Ambedkarite communities.
The controversy has also renewed debate around India’s growing use of demolition drives for infrastructure and urban projects, with rights advocates increasingly raising concerns about transparency, consultation and treatment of religious or minority sites.
Civic authorities, however, defended the operation. Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation Commissioner Abhinav Goyal said the affected land legally belongs to municipal authorities and argued that multiple notices and discussions had taken place before demolition work began.
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