Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said Bangladesh and India are working to establish peace in an unstable world. He said this in a speech addressed to the Matua community at Kashiani in Gopalganj on Saturday afternoon. “My long-cherished wish had been fulfilled,” Narendra Modi said earlier while offering prayers at the Matua community temple.

After paying homage at Bangabandhu’s mausoleum in Tungipara, the Indian Prime Minister reached the Orakandi Temple, a pilgrimage site for the Matua community in Kashiani, around 12:30 pm.

There he worshiped at the temples of Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur and later exchanged views with the leaders of the Matua community. At that time, the Indian premier said, “In a way, this place is a pilgrimage of the spiritual relationship between India and Bangladesh.”

Harichand Thakur, the proponent of Matua doctrine, was born in Orakandi of the Kashiani police station in Gopalganj. The temple of that village is known to the Matua community as the place of highest pilgrimage.India and Bangladesh together have more than 50 million followers of the Matua community. About 30 million of them live in West Bengal.

Those who were left lower-caste untouchables by Brahmanism are basically the followers of the Matua doctrine. They believe in Monotheism; Their doctrine is equal rights for men and women and widow marriage is encouraged.

Harichand Tagore, the proponent of the Matua doctrine, is regarded by his followers as a messenger for the liberation of oppressed and neglected people.