Deekshabhoomi trust chief moves HC over dispute

Nagpur: An internal dispute within the trust managing Deekshabhoomi, one of the country's most important Buddhist and Ambedkarite landmarks, has reached the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay high court after trust president Bhante Arya Nagarjuna Surai Sasai challenged proceedings before the charity commissioner's office.Justice Nandesh Deshpande directed the respondents to file replies by June 10.The petition challenges proceedings initiated before the assistant charity commissioner under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act and raises objections over the interpretation of administrative powers within the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Committee Trust, which oversees Deekshabhoomi administration and several associated educational, social and religious activities.As per the petition, the dispute centres around the authority to convene meetings, exercise executive powers and manage the trust's day-to-day functioning. It argued that, under the trust constitution, executive authority vests exclusively with the president or chairman of the trust.The plea further alleges that confusion was created in the administration due to what it termed an incorrect interpretation of the powers of the secretary, leading to interference in the trust's functioning.Deekshabhoomi, where Dr Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with lakhs of followers in 1956, remains a globally recognised centre of Buddhist learning and social reform movements.The petition stated that the ongoing internal conflict was affecting the administration and functioning of these institutions.The court was informed that the matter remained pending before the charity commissioner's authority. It was also pointed out that a separate application seeking clarification was filed following an order passed by the deputy charity commissioner on Feb 20.The authority concerned reportedly rejected objections raised in that application and decided to proceed with the matter on merits.Taking note of the submissions, the HC directed the competent authority to proceed further in accordance with law.Lawyers appearing in the matter argued that the dispute involves interpretation of the trust's governance structure and administrative control over one of Maharashtra's most prominent socio-religious institutions.