Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, a national government trust that works for the welfare of the Hindu community in Bangladesh claimed allegations of minority repression in Bangladesh made by Priya Saha before US President Donald Trump are completely untrustworthy. Such allegations have nothing to do with the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is traditionally a nation of communal harmony. And secularism is a commitment to our great Liberation War. The Awami League is committed to upholding this commitment. Speakers made the statements at a joint press conference on Monday at the National Press Club. Vice-Chairman of the Hindu welfare Trust Subrata Pal read out a written speech on behalf of three organizations.
He said, "It is unacceptable to seek justice from other countries on the internal affairs of an independent country. We strongly condemn her speech. Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. The country has become independent by Father of the Nation upon upholding the spirit of Bengali culture by conserving the composition of Hindu-Muslim, Buddhist-Christian. A regressive foreign authority became active to wipe out Bangabandhu's dream." He also said, “Bangladesh is a historically non-communal state. Although most of the people of this country are Muslim, and Bengali culture and consciousness are the main driving force of this region."
At the press conference Vice President of the Buddhist Welfare Trust, Sapta Bhushan Barua, Trustee and Secretary of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust, Nirmal Rozario, and other were from Christian and Hindu community were present. Awami League general secretary and road transport and bridge minister Obaidul Quader has said, “The government will investigate whether Priya has any reason behind her allegations of torture on minorities in Bangladesh." at Secretariat on Monday.
As Priya said she had taken her information on torturing minorities in Bangladesh, are based on the research of Abul Barakat. Economist, researcher and President of Bangladesh Economy Association Abul Barakat said that Priya presented his information in a distorted way. Abul Barkat said, "As a social researcher, I want to make sure that Priya Saha, who has given misleading statements referring my book, will immediately withdraw her statement. There is no similarity of my research data with statements of Priya Saha."
In a statement sent to the media on Monday afternoon, Abul Barkat said, "Priya Saha has misrepresented some of the facts and my name in various newspapers and media related to the deportation of minority communities and related issues."
