DE News Desk :
Hefazat-e-Islam has declared plans to stage countrywide demonstrations on May 23, demanding, among other issues, the immediate cancellation of the Women Affairs Reform Commission report initiated by the interim government.
The announcement came from Hefazat’s Amir, Allama Muhibullah Babunagari, while addressing a grand rally held at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday.
The rally saw the participation of thousands of supporters and was part of the group’s ongoing efforts to push forward their demands.
Earlier at the rally, party Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Mahfuzul Haque publicly presented a 12-point demand list, which included strong opposition to the Women Affairs Reform Commission, claiming it contradicted Islamic principles.
In their speeches, Hefazat leaders warned the government against implementing what they described as anti-Quran and anti-Sunnah policies, stating that such moves are unacceptable in a Muslim-majority country.
They reiterated their call to scrap the reform commission report immediately.
The group also renewed its demand for justice over the 2013 incident at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel, which they termed as a “mass killing” during the Awami League’s tenure.
Criticizing the lack of an investigation, Hefazat leaders questioned why no probe commission was formed for the Shapla Chattar crackdown, while commissions were set up for events like the BDR mutiny.
Alleging continued political suppression, the group also called for the withdrawal of what they described as politically motivated cases filed against their leaders and activists, which remain unresolved despite similar cases against other political groups being withdrawn.
Addressing international concerns, Hefazat-e-Islam urged the Bangladeshi government to actively condemn and take a stand against what they called the ongoing “Muslim genocide and oppression” in Palestine and India.
Saturday’s rally began at 9:00am and concluded at 1:00pm, with thousands attending from across the capital.
The event was preceded by a procession from Baitul Mukarram mosque, during which participants chanted slogans in support of Islamic values and justice.
Security was visibly heightened throughout the city, with law enforcement agencies deploying both uniformed and plainclothes personnel at key locations to maintain order during the rally.