Dhaka, Jul 21 (UNB) – Transport Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said he has been instructed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina not to take any hasty step against Priya Saha for her remarks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
“The Prime Minister sent me a message yesterday. It said no hurried action should be taken against Priya Saha,” the minister told reporters after attending the license handover ceremony of MRT Line 6 at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.
“Her (Priya’s) motive should be investigated,” Quader said adding, “She should make a public statement.”
Priya claimed that 37 million Hindus, Buddhists and Christians had disappeared from Bangladesh and that her home was torched and her land was grabbed by Muslim fundamentalists.
“The reasons for making such allegations should be investigated. I think, she should be given a chance to defend herself when she returns home,”
Quader also said there is no obstruction to Priya Saha’s return to Bangladesh.
“The government will hear what she has to say first and then it’ll take necessary action,” he said.
“To us, it (her statement) seemed intentional. She’ll be inquired about her motives behind that statement,” he added.
Meanwhile, several people, including lawyers, have moved the court seeking permission to file sedition cases against her in various districts across the country.
Bangladesh strongly condemned Priya Saha’s allegations. The government on Saturday said that there appears to be an ulterior motive behind her false and concocted stories aimed at maligning Bangladesh.