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Priya Saha to be sued for sedition: Quader

Her allegations must be looked into: Home minister


July 21, 2019 00:00:00


Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, speaking at a press conference at AL president's Dhanmondi political office in the city on Saturday — Collected

Terming the allegation made by Priya Saha to US President Donald Trump about Bangladesh 'absolutely false', Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Saturday she will be sued on sedition charges, report agencies.

"Priya Saha's allegation was absolutely false. No one will agree with her. A sedition case will be filed against her. The process is underway," he said while talking to reporters at AL president's Dhanmondi political office.

Priya Saha, a Bangladeshi national, participated in the Second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom held at the US Department of State in Washington, DC on July 16-18. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen also attended the meeting.

Delegates from 106 countries, including about 40 foreign ministers, took part in the meeting at the invitation of Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State.

Priya Saha, one of the organising secretaries of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, was seen telling US President Donald Trump, among other things, that 37 million Hindu, Buddhist and Christian people have been forced to disappear from Bangladesh.

She also told President Trump that her land has been grabbed by Muslim fundamentalists and sought his help so that Hindu, Buddhist and Christian people can live in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the government on Saturday said it appears that there was an ulterior motive behind Priya Saha's 'absolutely false and concocted stories' that were targeted to malign Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh is a beacon of religious freedom and communal harmony, where people of all faiths have been living in peace for ages," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly protesting all the blatant lies told by Priya Saha to US President Donald Trump.

The government also condemned her remarks in the strongest possible terms.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said Priya Saha will be called to account for her controversial remarks to US President Donald Trump about the alleged persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Speaking to the media at his residence on Saturday, Mr Khan said there is a reason and motive behind her allegations which need to be properly scrutinised.

"We will certainly ask her (about the remarks) when she returns," said the minister.

"We will definitely look into the allegations to see where these incidents occurred, whose houses were burnt down and whether we've properly investigated the matters.

"I believe that she (Priya Saha) may have a reason for making such allegations. She may have a motive for it. It now falls on us to see what the motive is."

Another report adds: Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia on Saturday termed the complaint made by Priya Saha to US President Donald Trump on persecution of minorities in Bangladesh as 'totally fabricated, baseless and unrealistic'.

"The minority people are in a safe state in the country. She has done this (lodging complaints to the US president) intentionally to endanger the country's sovereignty," he said.

The DMP commissioner was addressing a debate competition against violent extremism as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation in the city, said a press release.

In association with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), Debate for Democracy organised the debate with its Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron in the chair.

Informing that the concerned ministry has taken steps to bring Priya Saha under the legal procedure, the DMP commissioner said, "There is no instance of grabbing one decimal land of the Hindu community, persecution on them and barring them from performing religious activities".

Bangladesh's communal harmony has set a unique example in the world, he added.

Along with political willingness, he underscored the need for creating public awareness to stamp out militancy from the country.

University of South Asia became champion defeating Darunnazat Siddikia Kamil Madrasa in the debate competition.

DMP Additional Commissioner Krisnapad Ray and Associate Professor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Dr Tazul Islam Chowdhury Tuhin addressed the function, among others.


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