Across India today, there is a movement to identify Hindu shrines that were broken by Muslims and replaced by mosques and dargahs. This is being done in the name of social justice—historical wrongs are being made right. However, the same enthusiasm is not seen when it comes to the Buddhist and Jain demands for the restoration of sites that have been appropriated by Brahmins.

Take the case of Bodh Gaya in Bihar. Around 500 years ago, when the Babri Masjid was being built, Hindu ascetic groups took over the Bodh Gaya shrine and made it their hermitage. In the 20th century, we see the breaking of the Babri Masjid and the building of the Ram temple. At the same time, the Bodh Gaya site has only been partially handed over to the Buddhists—with Brahmins still playing a key role in the management.