Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council denounces Priya Saha’s comments

Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) on Thursday denounced comments by Priya Saha, one of its organising secretaries, reports UNB.

During a meeting with US president Donald Trump, she claimed that 37 million members of minority communities have disappeared from Bangladesh.

"It's true that she's an organising secretary of BHBCUC but she didn't visit president Trump on behalf of our organisation," BHBCUC general secretary advocate Rana Dasgupta told the media at the National Press Club.

"She acted on her own. It has nothing to do with us," he said, distancing the organisation from Priya Saha's claim.

Rana Dasgupta said BHBCUC has suspended her and relieved her of all organisational duties. "Further decisions will be taken about this after her return and statement," he said.

Dasgupta said, "If by 'disappearance', she meant the disappearance of minorities from independent Bangladesh, then it's false and we strongly condemn and oppose her statement."

He confirmed that the organisation's advisory council member Ashok Barua, presidium member Nirmal Rozario and joint general secretary Nirmal Chatarjee attended that particular event for BHBCUC.

Priya Saha participated in the Second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom held at the US Department of State in Washington on 16-18 July.