Women's Reform Commission: Hefazat says will treat 'CA Yunus like Hasina' if proposals implemented

The ultra-conservative Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has warned that it will treat Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus like it treated Sheikh Hasina if the interim government implements 'anti-Islamic proposals" made by the Women's Affairs Reform Commission.

Leaders of the Islamist group made the warnings at various protest rallies and processions organised across the country, demanding the abolishment of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission proposals today (25 April).

Speaking at a public gathering at the Chashara Central Shaheed Minar in Narayanganj this afternoon, Mamunul Haque, joint secretary general of Hefazat, said, "There is an opportunity for extensive reforms. We have applauded the reform activities. We have applauded all five of the six reform commissions. But we are shocked to see the proposal of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission."

"We have presented our statement in writing. The commission said that religious and social norms are the main reason for discrimination against women. By saying this, they have shown complete disregard to Islamic law."

"Dr Yunus Saheb has talked about implementing it quickly. He has stood against the Islamic inheritance law. We have given him a lot of respect, but if he moves on this path, we cannot treat him any differently than Hasina," he added.

The Hefazat leader announced that the group will hold a mass rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on 3 May.

The ultra-Islamist group also organised a protest rally and procession in Chattogram's Andarkill. 

Speaking at the event, Hefazat leaders said the Women's Affairs Reform Commission is against the Quran and Sunnah.

'Commission was formed by group of atheists and Western supporters': Khelafat Majlis

Earlier on the day, the ultra-Islamist political party, Khelafat Majlis, also criticised the reform commission and called for its abolishment. It also warned of launching a strong movement if the commission's proposals are implemented.

Speaking at a protest rally after Jumma prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, leaders of the party said the commission's proposals undermine Bangladesh's religious and family values.

The party's Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Quader alleged that the commission was formed by "a group of atheists and Western supporters whose main goal is to undermine Bangladesh's religious and family values."

Quader argued that the commission's agenda is masked under the guise of women's rights. "The commission has proposed a uniform family law—covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance—for women of all religions," he said.

"This is directly against the Quran and Sunnah and is a blatant attack on the faith of Muslims. We will never accept such anti-Islamic activities," he added.

He further condemned a proposal to recognise sex workers as professionals. "Over 90% of the population in this country is Muslim. Without showing any respect for their religious sentiments, the commission has proposed to recognise sex workers as professionals officially," Quader said.

"This is not only anti-Islamic but also a strategy to promote rampant immorality and moral degradation in society. Granting legal recognition to sex workers means encouraging this profession, which no devout citizen of any religious nation would ever accept," he added.

Issuing a warning to the government, Quader said, "If these agendas are implemented, unrest will spread within every family, and conflict and disorder will arise in society. On behalf of Khelafat Majlis, we are clearly informing the government—if this commission is not abolished, the devout people of the country will be compelled to launch a strong movement."

He also expressed solidarity with Muslims in India, condemning their persecution and criticising the silence of the international community on the issue.

Khelafat Majlis leaders sharply criticised the commission's report, saying it reflects the views of a specific ideological group and does not consider the broader interests of Bangladeshi society. They argued that many recommendations constitute a deliberate attempt to undermine Islamic values and disrupt the nation's religious harmony and family structure.

According to the party, the commission is an attempt to destabilise society and does not represent the general female population. They have urged the interim government to abolish the commission and reject all its controversial proposals.

Prominent figures at the protest included the party's Naib-e-Amir Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi, Joint Secretary General Advocate Jahangir Hossain, Muhammad Muntasir Ali, Mostafizur Rahman Faisal, Professor Abdul Jalil, and Organisational Secretary Advocate Mizanur Rahman.

Security was heightened around Baitul Mukarram Mosque during the protest. Additional police officers were deployed from the Paltan intersection to various mosque gates, with around 30 to 50 stationed at the north gate. Members of the Detective Branch were also present.

A police officer, speaking anonymously, said, "We are conducting searches as a security precaution surrounding the protest to ensure that no chaos occurs."

The protest had been announced earlier in the week by Khelafat Majlis and also included condemnation of the situation of Muslims in India.