Ever Since PM Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart started cooperation to tame radical Islam, Islamists have been on a rigorous mission to obstruct the India-Bangladesh relationship. However, they haven’t been able to register any substantive victory. The recent Inauguration of Ramna Kali Mandir in Bangladesh by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is an evidence of this fact.
Shaurya Diwas jointly held by both countries:
India and Bangladesh are celebrating 50-years of Bangladeshi independence from the tyrannical Pakistani occupation. To celebrate the joint shaurya by Indian and Bangladeshi armed forces, various joint events and diplomatic level engagements took place. President Ram Nath Kovind was in Bangladesh to signify India’s strong support for the Bangladesh cause.
Ramna Mandir inaugurated by India’s President:
On its part, Bangladesh also provided India with some thankful gestures. Gleefully accepting one of those gestures, the President inaugurated the restored Ramna Kali Mandir in Bangladesh’s capital city of Dhaka. Describing the significance of the holy Mandir, the President called it a symbol of cultural and spiritual bonding between the two south-Asian nations.
Honorable President, along with his wife Shrimati Savita Kovind, also offered their prayers inside the Mandir. India’s foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla termed the inauguration as an emotional moment for both the neighbours.
At the Ramna temple, President Kovind was welcomed by the Bangladesh Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Faridul Haq Khan. Along with inaugurating the main Mandir, the President also inaugurated a guest house, a deep tube well, and the main entry gate to the temple. He also unveiled a plaque describing India’s role in construction of various sections of the Mandir.
After inaugurating the Mandir, President Kovind addressed the Indian community in Bangladesh. In his address, he described this opportunity as a blessing from Maa Kali. “This morning, I went to the historic Ramna Kali temple where I had the privilege of inaugurating the renovated temple. I look at it as a blessing from Maa Kali,” he said. Citing the cooperative arrangement between both countries, he said, “I have been told that the governments and the people of Bangladesh and India helped in restoring the temple which was demolished by the Pakistani forces during the war of liberation.”
Rama Kali Mandir – Another Hindu temple targeted by Islamists:
Ramna Kali Mandir holds both historic and cultural significance for the people of both India and Bangladesh. Various reports available in the public domain trace its history back to the 1600s. The Mandir, built by Hindus’ hard work, was later occupied by Mughals during the 17th century.
Also read: Bengali Hindus boycott Bangladeshi stalls in Cooch Behar Raas Mela, Bangladeshis incur huge losses
Although it is difficult to pinpoint who built the Mandir, but it is widely believed that Mahant Haricharan Giri was a key figure in its construction. It is the second oldest Hindu Mandir in modern-day Bangladesh, with the first being Dhakeshwari Mandir in Dhaka.
In 1971, the mandir was destroyed by barbaric Pakistani forces, as it was one of the focal points of Bangladeshis’ rebellion in Dhaka. Before its destruction, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had delivered his historic speech at the Ramna racecourse. In his speech, he had infamously said, “The struggle this time is for emancipation! The struggle this time is for independence” In fact, a photo signifying the Mandir’s importance is also available on the website of Bangabandhu Museum.
Islamists’ derailment tactics failed:
Jittered Islamists have been trying to derail the cooperative relationship between India and Bangladesh through various means. Along with Pakistani outfits, they have been on a mission to instigate anti-Hindu sentiments in Bangladesh. Recently, they were partially successful in instigating an anti-Durga Puja riot in the state. However, soon, Bangladeshis realised that the riots were promoted by the Pakistani forces. This led to a fierce push-back, and recently, the Pakistani Cricket team faced troubles from commoner Bangladeshis.
Also read: Pakistani Cricket Team in hot Shorba after raising Pakistan’s flag in Bangladesh
The inauguration of Ramna Kali Mandir by President is an indication of the fact that Islamists have massively failed in their mission. However, PM Modi along with Sheikh Hasina, still have a long way to go in eliminating such elements from obstructing the developments of both the countries.