The recent inauguration of the reconstructed Ramna Kali temple in Ramna, Dhaka (Bangladesh), commemorates the 50th anniversary of the victory of Bangladesh and India in the Liberation War. This event holds great significance as it also marks the golden jubilee of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India, strengthening their cultural and spiritual bonding.
Revival of Ramna Kali Temple
Indian President recently inaugurated the rebuilt Ramna Kali temple in Bangladesh. The temple was originally destroyed by Pakistani forces during Operation Searchlight in March 1971, a brutal crackdown which led to genocide and the Bangladesh War of Liberation. The temple was brought back to life after its reconstruction was announced in 2017 by the then Indian External Affairs Minister during the inauguration of 15 development projects in Baridhara, Dhaka.
About Ramna Kali Temple
It is believed that the Ramna Kali Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, was erected during the Mughal period. With an estimated age of 400 years, it is considered the second oldest Hindu temple in Bangladesh, following the Dhakeshwari Temple. The temple’s origins are attributed to Haricharan Giri, a mahant who served in the temple although the exact identity of its builders remains unknown due to the lack of historical records. The temple gained prominence when renowned saint Ma Anandamayi established her ashram within its vicinity.
The Temple and the Bangladesh Liberation War
Just days before the temple was destroyed by the Pakistani army, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered a historic speech, instigating the Bengali population towards independence. Mujibur Rahman, who later became the founding leader and first Prime Minister of Bangladesh, made this address at the Ramna Race Course maidan, in close proximity to the temple. On 27th March 1971, the Pakistani army demolished the temple and massacred 85 Hindus including priests and worshippers.
India-Bangladesh Relations
Following the war, India and Bangladesh have worked towards strengthening their bilateral relations. Bangladesh is currently India’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with exports to Bangladesh in FY 2018-19 totaling USD 9.21 billion. India also provides duty free access to multiple Bangladeshi products. Apart from trade, India has extended three lines of credit to Bangladesh amounting to USD 8 billion for infrastructural development.
The military cooperation between the two countries has been fruitful. The Bangladesh government eliminated anti-India insurgency elements from its borders, making it one of the most peaceful regionally. This move allowed India to redeploy its military resources to more contentious borders elsewhere.
New Areas of Engagement
Bangladeshis currently form a significant portion of tourists in India, surpassing all tourists arriving from Western Europe in 2017. They account for more than 35% of India’s international medical patients and contribute more than 50% of India’s revenue from medical tourism.
The latest development in these relations saw a 122-member contingent from the Bangladesh Armed Forces participate in the 72nd Republic Day parade in India, an event that commemorated 50 years of the 1971 India-Pakistan war resulting in Bangladesh’s liberation.
