Bangladesh: Hindu Woman Activist Who Spoke Against Muslim Fundamentalists With Trump Not To Be Charged With Sedition

Priya Saha, organising secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (HBCUC), who was captured on camera sharing the plight of minorities in Bangladesh with United States President Donald Trump, will not be tried for sedition, reports NDTV.

In the video-clip, Saha can be seen telling Trump her house was burned down, and land was taken away. When Trump asks her who did it, she says, “Muslim fundamentalists” and asks him to help the cause of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian minorities in the Muslim majority nation of Bangladesh.

Over this, Ruling Awami League general secretary and a cabinet minister in Bangladesh Obaidul Quader on Saturday accused her of making "false, purposeful and treasonous remarks" and said that a sedition case will be filed against her. The minister said that Saha’s complaints were “blatant lies” and were made with “ulterior motive”.

On Sunday (21 July), the minister clarified that Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina had disapproved the move to file sedition charges against Ms Saha without obtaining her explanation on her comments.

"The prime minister last night sent me a message (from the UK where she is on an official tour), saying no legal action was required to be initiated hastily," he said.

Two lawyers have already filed separate cases in their private capacities against Saha at Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on sedition charges for "maligning" Bangladesh's image.

Saha was among the five Bangladeshis and two Rohingya refugees the US Embassy in Dhaka sent to the White House to attend the 19 July event.