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 stories of assaults on the minorities in his nation. “I will not go away this temple come what might… I’ve seen worse,” Goswami instructed TOI on Saturday.He lives together 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 combat within the liberation warfare that 12 months, with the help of the Indian Military“.
‘Was blindfolded, bundled into jeep by Pakistani troops in 1971’
Once 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 navy 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 worry to make me flee my land… However then I got here again alive each instances because 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 combat the Pakistani troops and in the end 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 risky state of affairs in 1990, this time in Kuwait through the first Gulf warfare.
“I used to be working in Kuwait at the moment and needed to return dwelling eight days after the warfare 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 a 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 quite a bit. 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 group, who stated they’ve “vowed to guard the person and his mandir.”
One among them, Abrar Faiyaz, 26, a pupil of worldwide affairs in Dhaka College, instructed 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 individuals. We’re vigilant and gained’t permit anybody to disturb the peace and communal concord of the world.”
