President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday inaugurated a historic temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh that was destroyed by Pakistani forces in 1971.
President Kovind is in Bangladesh on his first state visit at the invitation of his counterpart M Abdul Hamid to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in the 1971 Liberation War.
The President and First Lady Savita Kovind inaugurated the Sri Ramna Kali Mandir and offered prayers at the renovated temple.
It should be noted that the temple was completely destroyed by the Pakistani Army’s operation code-named ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971, targeting the resistance movement in the country.
The temple was set on fire by the Pakistani forces, killing many people, including devotees and those residing in it. India supported the renovation of the temple.
Hindus make up some 10 per cent of Muslim-majority Bangladesh’s 169 million population.
Following a three-day visit, President Kovind departed from Dhaka after his State visit to Bangladesh.
MEA issues statement on President’s Dhaka visit
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserted that President Kovind’s visit is of historical significance given the 50th anniversary of the shared sacrifices of the people of the two countries during Bangladesh’s struggle for liberation in 1971.
The President commenced his visit by paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar. He also paid his respects to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
On December 15, the President held delegation-level talks with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, wherein both sides took stock of the progress in bilateral relations and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina called on President and recalled the historic visit of PM Modi to Bangladesh in March 2021. They highlighted the importance of spirit of 1971 and legacy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, also called on President.
On Dec 16, he attended the Victory Day parade in Dhaka as a Guest of Honour. 122-member tri-service contingent of Indian Armed Forces participated too. Wg Cdr T Asha Jyotiramai performed para jump unfurling flag of Indian tri-services along with paratroopers, Bangladesh Armed Forces.
On Dec 17, he inaugurated the newly reconstructed Sree Sree Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka, which had been destroyed in March 1971 by Pakistani forces. He also interacted with Indian war veterans and Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh.
He later addressed a gathering of friends of India representing different walks of life from the Bangladeshi society and members of the Indian community.
The MEA further said that several key announcements were made including the gifting of Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition to Liberation War Museum in Dhaka, announcement of the first occupant of Bangabandhu Chair at DU and extension of Nutan India-Bangladesh Maitree Muktijoddha Sontan Scholarship Scheme for 5 years.
A 1971-era MiG-21 aircraft was gifted to the National Museum of Bangladesh. A replica of the aircraft was handed over by the President to the President of Bangladesh, said MEA concluding the statement.
