DU students demand Priya Saha’s punishment for false allegation

Students of Dhaka University (DU), at a demonstration on the campus on Saturday, demanded due punishment to Priya Saha for making false accusations to US President Donald Trump over minority persecution in Bangladesh.

They also urged the government to run an investigation into the motive of her allegation and take appropriate steps accordingly.

As part of the demo, protesting students formed a human chain in front of the Anti-terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture at the Teachers Students Centre area on the campus and condemned Ms Saha for her effort to tarnish the image of the country.

Saddam Hossain, a student of Food and Nutrition Department, said, “Those who are involved with Priya Saha should be identified, and the government should take necessary steps against the culprits.”

Tareq Ajij Dhrubo, a student of Botany, said, “People like Priya Saha are making provocations and trying to damage the country’s image. They should be punished.”

Priya Saha, a Bangladeshi national, participated in a meeting “Second Ministerial to Advance Religion US Freedom” held at US Department of State office in Washington, DC from July 16 to July 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.

In a video that went viral on social media subsequently, Priya Saha, one of the organising secretaries of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, was seen telling US President Donald Trump, among other things, that 37 million Hindu, Buddhist and Christian people have disappeared from Bangladesh.

She also alleged that Muslim fundamentalists have grabbed her land and sought Trump’s help so that Hindu, Buddhist and Christian people can live in Bangladesh.