Against the backdrop of growing concern over the safety of women including foreign tourists in India, and the fact that around 6.3 million tourists visited India from overseas in 2011 with a large portion of these 6 million foreign visitors being women and more than half of them travelled alone, Bodh Gaya being no exception.

On 19.12.13 Member, Dr. Charu WaliKhanna alongwith Ms. Safia Akhtar and Ms. Savita Natraj, Members of the State Commission for Women, Bihar, first visited Mahila Thana Chandoti which is a central police station for registering of crimes against women in the entire district. The Mahila Thana has no separate building but shares the same with SC/Minority Thana. The SSP informed that funds have been sanctioned for its new building. A total of 45 cases had been entered in the register of the police station, and most of them were under section 498A IPC. Only 1-2 cases relating to rape had been registered. The police authorities informed the Member that all districts in Bihar have a Mahila Helpline for women in distress. The SSP informed the Member that Parivar Paramarsha Kendras / Family Counselling Centers are operating in the district on the initiative of District Magistrate, in coordination with police, and DSP(HQ) is supervising their functioning. It was disturbing to note that a case No.3/130 was registered under the ‘Daayan Adhiniyam’. On being asked about the facts of the case Ms. Kunti Devi Mahila Thana in-charge said that the woman has been targeted by her neighbour for spreading illness, but in reality the victim was a teacher and the neighbour were jealous of her and her husband’s rising prosperity. This incident reiterates the view of the Commission that women are labelled / branded as ‘dayan’ not due to superstition, but vested interests in land/jealousy etc.

On the Member asking women police about problems faced by them they replied that their authorities were gender sensitive and the only problem they faced was lack of toilets for women on outdoor duty.

The police was asked by Member that since it is a tourist area with lot of foreign tourist coming in and the sensational 2010 rape case of a Japanese woman which was widely reported in media which created fear and insecurity; the police replied that after the incident new SSP has taken many initiatives including mobile vans, tourist police, night patrolling and constant patrolling is done not only in the tourist areas but around the university and malls where students gather. The VC of the Magadh University was also asked whether he is satisfied with the police arrangements in the university area. The police proudly stated that there has been no complaint in the past one year from any foreign tourist due to the good policing. 15 lady officers are deputed at temple, 40 constables are in constant interaction with monastery and small hotels by way of seminars in which they are made aware about their livelihood associated with the goodwill of the tourists and prestige of the country.

The police stressed that women in the district are safe in public spaces because Gaya’s local population is basically village oriented, however, the problem of domestic violence behind closed walls needs to be addressed. Member observed throughout the tour and after interaction with local officials that there is negligible or rather NO awareness on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA). The state Govt. has not appointed any independent Protection Officers but by way of notification all CDPOs have been given the additional charge of Protection Officers. They are not aware of the modalities of the Act, rules nor the annexed forms which define / give examples of the forms of violence. This is a matter of serious concern and Member discussed the matter with Members of the State Commission and police after which it was decided that the National Commission would assist the state commission to take the training of CDPOs further.

Dr. Charu WaliKhanna, Member, had audience with HH the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje and asked for his message on women issues. He said that Buddhism began with the life of the Buddha in the 6th century BC and continues to the present day. He said Buddhism is among the first religions to have accepted female disciples and the Buddha gave women full freedom to participate in religious life.

Buddhism a a religion is highly progressive in its outlook and in fact the first women's liberation march was carried out by Pajapati, Buddha's aunt some 2500 years back. She demostrated in front of Lord Buddha and asked for the right to establish a nuns order. Lord Buddha opened the gates for the full participation of women in the field of religioins by making them eligible for admission to what was known as the Bhikkuni Sangha-the Order of Nuns which opened new cutural and social service avenues for women.

The Karmapa said that India has a rich heritage and one must take the best practices from all religions and be sensitive towards women, treating them with dignity and respect. He said that for the first time he will hold an international seminar of all woman monks to discuss gender issues and solicit the views of the National Commission for Women during the Consultation.

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