A bench of justices Altamas Kabir and J Chelameswar sought governments' response within four weeks on the plea made by one of the members of Buddhagaya Temple Management Committee for entrusting the management and control of the temple to Buddhists alone.
In his petition, petitioner Bhante Arya Nagarjun Shurei Sasai has challenged various provisions of Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act which allow Hindus to be part of the managing committee.
"It is unfortunate that despite long wait and struggle, the petitioners and lakhs of Indian Buddhists continue to be denied the exclusive right of management and control of the Mahabodhi Temple on account of the offending provisions of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act.
"At present, due to mismanagement and indifference to the temple, the sacred Bodhi tree is in danger of decay as found by a committee of the Archaeological Survey of India," the petition said.
A plea on the same issue is already pending in the apex Court and the bench had asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati to assist it in deciding the case.
Maha Bodhi Temple is one of the most revered shrines of Buddhists as Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment here under a Maha Bodhi Tree.
