Bangladesh unrest: twelfth gen priest of 583-year-old Kali mandir says ‘will not go away temple & motherland’ | Dehradun Information

Shekhar Lal Goswami affords prayers at Sri Sri Siddheswari Kali Mandir in Dhaka on Friday (Left), Goswami (in blue) with college students on the temple in Dhaka (Proper)

DEHRADUN: Shekhar Lal Goswami, 73, a twelfth era household priest of the over 5 centuries previous Sri Sri Siddheswari Kali Mandir located at a distinguished locality in Dhaka, says he will not budge amid all of the violence and studies of assaults on the minorities in his nation. “I will not go away this temple come what might… I’ve seen worse,” Goswami advised TOI on Saturday.He lives along with his two uncles, son and household, in his home subsequent to the temple in Siddheswari lane close to the capital’s busy Mouchak Bazar.
The septuagenarian recalled the incidents when he was “kidnapped twice from the 583-year-old temple by Pakistani troops in 1971, earlier than happening to hitch the Mukti Bahini pressure to struggle within the liberation battle that 12 months, with the help of the Indian Military“.
‘Was blindfolded, bundled into jeep by Pakistani troops in 1971’
After I was kidnapped the primary time, I used to be round 20-years-old and was providing prayers in entrance of Maa Kali in a priest’s apparel. It was April 17, 1971. I used to be blindfolded and bundled right into a army jeep by Pakistani troops. I’d then given up hope of returning alive. However they launched me. Eleven days later, the troops took me once more. They wished to instil concern to make me flee my land… However then I got here again alive each instances on account of Maa Kali’s blessings,” stated Goswami, including that he then crossed over to Agartala in Tripura for “arms coaching”.

“I had gone there with eight others together with my elder brother and mates. After coaching for round 45 days, we returned to struggle the Pakistani troops and finally succeeded to free our motherland with all the opposite nice freedom fighters,” Goswami, who had 5 siblings together with three sisters, additional stated.

After independence, he pursued vehicle engineering and labored for a few years overseas, primarily in West Asia. However as destiny would have it, he once more confronted a unstable scenario in 1990, this time in Kuwait throughout the first Gulf battle.
“I used to be working in Kuwait at the moment and needed to return residence eight days after the battle broke out. Subsequent 12 months in 1991, we confronted communal violence in Bangladesh after which my household went to neighbouring India… They insisted that I be part of them, however I stayed again.

Lastly, after retiring at 65, I began dedicating my time to Maa Kali on this temple as its priest after taking up the cost from my uncle. Since then, I’ve been serving right here. So, I’ve seen so much. I’ll by no means go away Bangladesh and would wish to die in my motherland,” he stated. Notably, the temple is at current being guarded by a gaggle of scholars together with members of the bulk neighborhood, who stated they’ve “vowed to guard the person and his mandir.”

Certainly one of them, Abrar Faiyaz, 26, a scholar of worldwide affairs in Dhaka College, advised TOI: “We’re a gaggle of 35. I’ve my mates Robin Mojumdar, 25, and Muztahid Abrar Siddique, 26, with me on this endeavour. We’re guarding the temple and neighbourhood in shifts of three hours and sub-groups of 10-15 folks. We’re vigilant and gained’t enable anybody to disturb the peace and communal concord of the world.”