PM Modi, Ramdas Athawale Discuss Mahabodhi Mahavihar & Maharashtra Politics
New Delhi, India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athawale at Parliament House to discuss national security, religious heritage, and political representation.
During the meeting, Athawale praised the Prime Minister for recent bold decisions such as Mission Sindoor and Operation Mahadev, calling them strong messages against terrorism and anti-national forces.
A key topic was the ongoing movement concerning the Mahabodhi Mahavihar in Bodh Gaya, Bihar — a UNESCO World Heritage Site sacred to Buddhists worldwide. The trust currently managing the site consists of 4 Buddhist and 4 Hindu members, a structure Athawale described as “neither logical nor fair.” He urged that full management should be given to the Buddhist community. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and noted that the arrangement dated back to the Congress era.
Athawale also requested that the RPI be included in the Maharashtra Government, highlighting the party’s role as a long-standing ally in the Mahayuti coalition and its contribution to Ambedkarite ideology.
The meeting also included discussions on the life and vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, with the Prime Minister expressing his deep respect and pointing to several development and social schemes inspired by Ambedkar’s principles.