Bangladesh: Islamist parties demand Yunus government to ban Women's Affairs Reform Commission

Blaming the women's commission's recommendations are inspired by Western ideologies and contradict Bangladesh's social realities, the parties warned the interim government that it would not hesitate to begin a nationwide campaign to press their demands.

The observations were on Wednesday during a national seminar titled “Islamophobia of the Women Reform Commission and our responsibilities”, held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka.

The seminar was organised by the “Ulama Mashayekh Aimma Parishad”.

Speaking at the event,  Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said the entire commission and its recommendations must be rejected.

"We don't want a movement, but if forced, we won't hesitate to take to the streets," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Star.

Criticising the commission further, he said: "On one hand, they talk about equal rights, and on the other, they push for women's quotas everywhere. If rights are equal, why the need for quotas? Let women earn positions based on merit, not reservation."

Islamist Leader Threatens Muhammad Yunus-led Government

An Islamist leader warned that the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, will need to kill them before implementing the recommendations of the commission.

Mamunul Haque, ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, was quoted as saying by The Daily Star, "If the government tries to implement even a single part of the commission's recommendations, it will have to do so over our dead bodies."

While speaking at the seminar, he alleged the reform proposals were part of a foreign agenda, and criticised the Chief Adviser's Office for quickly announcing its intention to implement them.

Mamunul said they have not seen such urgency for the recommendations of any other commissions, and suggested this was a pre-planned conspiracy, with involvement of the highest level.

Hasina's Fall

On August 5, 2024, Bangladesh witnessed a massive political transformation when Sheikh Hasina fled to India amid violent protests against her government over a job quota row.

Following the fall of her regime, Muhammad Yunus took charge of the interim government.

Days after Hasina's ouster, the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami group was lifted.

The interim government also released convicted terrorists, including Jashimuddin Rahmani.