Bombings at Mahabodhi Mahavihara
The Mahabodhi Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Bodh Gaya, India, is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists across the globe. It is a place of significant spiritual importance as it marks the site where Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, attained enlightenment. On July 7, 2013, this serene sanctuary was shattered by a series of coordinated bomb blasts that occurred between 5:30 AM and 6:00 AM IST, coinciding with the daily rituals of Sutta chanting and meditation that many monks and devotees partake in as part of their spiritual practice.
Four of the bomb blasts were directly within the Mahabodhi Temple complex. The first explosion occurred at 5:30 AM in the temple sanctuary during morning prayers. Following that, just two minutes later, a second bomb exploded on the east side at the Animesh Lochna Temple, inflicting damage on wooden bookshelves containing precious Buddhist scriptures. The third bomb detonated in the southern area near the Butter Lamp House, damaging an ambulance owned by the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC). In another part of the complex, a fourth explosion took place in a small shrine on the north side, though fortunately, an image of the Buddha remained unscathed.
Beyond the temple grounds, five additional blasts were reported within a 500-meter radius, further heightening fears and chaos within the community. A notable explosion occurred at an 80-foot statue of the Buddha, while three bombs targeted the Tergar Monastery, with one bomb placed strategically behind a classroom door. Fortunately, the timing of the attack coincided with the children's holiday, resulting in no injuries among the young students. Another bomb exploded on a parked bus at the Sujata bypass, adding to the terrifying atmosphere of the morning.
The Indian Home Minister, Sushilkumar Shinde, later indicated that ten bombs had been detonated—contrary to the earlier report of nine—leaving some ambiguity regarding where the additional explosive was activated. Despite the chaos of the bombings, the monks at BTMC displayed resilience, opening the main sanctuary for prayers and rituals shortly after the incident. Bomb disposal teams quickly moved into action, neutralizing three more unexploded devices that had malfunctioned due to their analog timers. These included a cylinder bomb found near the Tergar Monastery and two others located near the 80-foot Buddha statue and the Royal Residence Hotel in the nearby village of Baiju Bigaha.
In a chilling discovery, three handwritten pamphlets in Urdu were located alongside the defused bombs. Two of the pamphlets contained coded language that seemingly pinpointed bomb placement locations, while the third bore the phrase "Revenge for Iraq," suggesting a potentially larger ideological motive behind the attacks. This incident underscored not only the vulnerability of even the most sacred spaces but also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by communities and governments in combating religiously motivated violence and maintaining public safety in the face of such threats.
Investigation Overview
On July 8, the authorities in Gaya, specifically the Superintendent of Police Chandan Kushwaha and District Development Officer Giridhar Dayal, took significant steps in investigating the bomb blasts that occurred at the Mahabodhi Temple. They released CCTV footage capturing the moments surrounding the blasts and subsequently produced sketches of suspects based on that footage. Among those identified were Sahidur and Saifur Rehman, two brothers associated with Indian Mujahideen (IM), with origins traced to Scotland and Saudi Arabia respectively. Additionally, local resident Vinod Mistri was apprehended after his identification card was found at the blast site, but he claimed that he had lost it days earlier. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) intervened, questioning Mistri, but ultimately released him on July 10 due to insufficient evidence. The day of the blasts saw a proclamation from an alleged IM social media account claiming responsibility and ominously warning of a potential attack on Mumbai. This claim was linked to an IP address traced back to Pakistan, prompting further scrutiny from the NIA.
Following these developments, on July 16, the NIA enhanced the investigation by releasing additional sketches and a video of a suspect seen in Bhikkhu robes who was believed to have planted four bombs within the Mahabodhi complex. Witness testimonies highlighted that this individual performed the traditional circumambulation (Parikrama) in a way that raised suspicions about his authenticity. This suspect allegedly harbored intentions to target the main statue of Buddha but refrained from entering the sanctuary, potentially due to the presence of worshippers. Investigators uncovered that the 13 Lotus timers utilized in the bombings were purchased from a store located in Guwahati, while the clocks attached to the unexploded devices were manufactured in Rajkot, Gujarat. The cylinders used alongside the bombs were sourced from Bihar, leading the NIA to suspect that local individuals may have played a role in facilitating the attack.
The investigation further established notable similarities between the bombings in Patna and Bodh Gaya, particularly in the methods employed to plant the explosives. A significant breakthrough in the investigation came on November 4, 2013, when NIA agents executed a raid on a lodge in Ranchi, where they uncovered pivotal evidence of a broader plot against pilgrimage sites. This evidence included detailed maps indicating planned bomb sites and coded references to terrorists involved. Investigators confirmed that the Ranchi cell of the Indian Mujahideen was indeed behind the attacks. Reports indicated that various suspects, including Imtiaz Ansari and Tariq (or Ainul), were responsible for placing explosives at sites such as the Thai Monastery and the Tergar Monastery, while Mujib planted bombs at four distinct locations in Bodh Gaya. The attackers operated in pairs and were assigned the task of planting three bombs each. The NIA ultimately identified the key members of this plot: Hyder Ali, Imtiaz Ansari, Tariq (Ainul), Taufeeq, and Mujibal Ansari, noting that Ali likely masterminded the operation with potential backing from Tehseen Akhtar, another Ranchi-based IM operative. Investigators suspect that the attacks were commanded under the direction of Riyaz Bhatkal, a prominent figure within the Pakistani facet of the Indian Mujahideen, indicating a sophisticated level of coordination behind the tragic incidents.
Security Lapses and Alleged Warnings
The devastating blasts at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya prompted widespread criticism and raised serious questions about the security measures in place. Several media outlets directed their ire towards the Bihar Police, citing a troubling lack of readiness and oversight at both management and operational levels. A glaring issue hampering effective security was the inadequacy of the metal detectors, which were not appropriately calibrated to detect explosives. Additionally, when the blasts occurred, there were only four security guards on duty—a number far too low to ensure the safety of such a significant religious site. Security experts emphasized the irresponsibility of allowing the Bodh Gaya Management Committee to handle security, labeling it "preposterous and immature."
The risk associated with the Mahabodhi Temple had not gone unnoticed by intelligence agencies. David Headley, involved in the planning of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, testified in June 2010 about a video prepared by the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which focused on the Mahabodhi Temple as a potential target for bombings. This compounded fears that the temple was at risk, particularly after the Indian Mujahideen (IM) suggested planning an attack in October 2012, following their involvement in prior bombings in Pune. In April 2013, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) released a list of suspected IM operatives, highlighting Amir Reza Khan as a notable figure. Reza, who had ties to the Bangalore and Pune blasts, was implicated in reconnaissance activities concerning the temple, underscoring an urgent need for heightened security measures.
Intelligence warnings about a possible attack on the temple were issued multiple times, with significant alerts from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) occurring in 2012 and 2013. In June 2013, the Bihar Police were informed about potential targets, and on July 2, they received specific intelligence regarding the entry of two suspects into Gaya. The Ministry of Home Affairs reiterated the threat level on July 3, articulating that the temple was at high risk. Despite these warnings, and subsequent security review meetings held by the Bihar Police, a tragic oversight led to blasts occurring shortly thereafter. This failure to act on prior information drew criticism from various quarters, including Pragya Deep, treasurer of the All India Bhiku Sangha, who deemed the situation "shameful." Bihar's Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, asserted that the government had made efforts to secure the temple, while an IB official lamented that their lengthy history of warnings had apparently been dismissed by state agencies.
The tragic events surrounding the Mahabodhi Temple serve as a stark reminder of the dire consequences that can arise from security lapses, especially in areas with high historical and religious significance. The blend of previous intelligence alerts, a clear history of threats against the temple, and the failure to implement effective security measures highlights an overarching need for improved coordination and responsiveness among law enforcement and security agencies.
Reactions to the Bombings at Mahabodhi Temple
The bombings at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, a significant site for Buddhists worldwide as the location of Gautama Buddha's enlightenment, elicited widespread condemnation from leaders across India and beyond. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee characterized the blasts as a "senseless act of violence," highlighting the tragedy of targeting innocent pilgrims and monks gathered to honor the teachings of peace, embodied by Buddha. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh echoed these sentiments, emphasizing India's rich tradition of cultural pluralism and respect for all faiths, stating that such attacks on religious grounds would not be tolerated. This response underscored the importance of maintaining communal harmony in the face of violence aimed at disrupting peace.
In addition to governmental reactions, prominent Buddhist organizations articulated their sorrow and dismay. The All India Bhiku Sangha's chairperson, Bhante Sadanand Mahasthaver, articulated the sadness felt among Buddhist monks across India, criticizing the violence perpetrated against those who share a message of peace. The Rajya Sabha, India's upper house of Parliament, joined in the condemnation, with Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari noting the attacks as a cause for deep concern and anguish. Furthermore, the Government of Bihar announced plans to form an Anti Terrorist Squad, highlighting the local authorities' commitment to enhancing security in response to these tragic events.
International reactions were equally poignant. The 14th Dalai Lama and Lobsang Sangay, the Tibetan government-in-exile Prime Minister, both lamented the explosions and expressed solidarity with the victims. The Karmapa also called for calm and compassion in the wake of such violence, encouraging Buddhists to maintain their commitment to non-violence amidst the chaos. Leaders from countries with significant Buddhist populations, including Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, expressed their disapproval, with Rajapaksa specifically emphasizing the sanctity of the Bodh Gaya shrine as a space revered by peace-loving individuals globally.
The reaction extended beyond politics into the realm of faith and community. At the Eighth Global Conference on Buddhism in Singapore, delegates issued a resolution that encapsulated a call for forgiveness, stating, "You may damage the most important temple in Buddhism but you will not destroy our faith in forgiveness and compassion." This resilient spirit was further echoed by Buddhist communities in Northeast India, who submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister condemning the violence as an affront to the core message of love and compassion that Buddhism promotes.
The emergence of protests showcased solidarity among Buddhist communities against the violent acts. Notably, in Nagpur, a Buddhist monk attempted self-immolation in protest but was thankfully prevented by police intervention. Across India, various peace rallies and demonstrations were organized to represent both grief and resistance to the violence faced by the religious community. Global religious leaders also expressed solidarity, with the World Council of Churches' general secretary, Olav Fykse Tveit, extending his sorrow and urging the Buddhist community to serve as a beacon of morality and spirituality in spite of the tragic circumstances. This collective response underscores not only the concrete actions taken by governments and organizations but also the deep-seated spiritual resilience and commitment to peace among the Buddhist community and its allies worldwide.