Hefazat-e-Islam to Hold Nationwide Demonstrations Over Key Demands

Hefazat-e-Islam has announced plans to stage demonstrations across Bangladesh on 23 May to press forward with their various demands, including the immediate cancellation of the report from the Reform Commission on Women Affairs. The announcement was made by Hefazat chief Muhibullah Babunagari during a grand rally held at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday.

Earlier at the rally, Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Hefazat, read out their 12-point demand, emphasizing the need to scrap the Women Affairs Reform Commission established by the interim government. Leaders at the gathering reiterated their stance against any policies they deem contrary to the Qur’an and Sunnah, particularly in a country where approximately 90% of the population is Muslim.

The rally participants called on the government to immediately revoke the report of the Women Affairs Reform Commission. They also demanded justice for the alleged mass killings at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel during the tenure of the Awami League government in 2013.

Speakers declared that Hefazat-e-Islam is prepared to sacrifice lives to defend the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh but will not tolerate actions against the Qur’an and Sunnah. They questioned why no investigation has been launched into the alleged killings at Shapla Chattar, despite commissions being formed for other incidents like the BDR mutiny and the July movement.

The leaders criticized the ongoing political cases against Hefazat members and activists, which they describe as the remnants of what they term the “fascist” Sheikh Hasina regime. They called for the immediate withdrawal of all such cases. Additionally, they urged the government to actively work to end what they describe as “Muslim genocide and oppression” in Palestine and India.

The rally, which began at 9 am and concluded around 1 pm, saw thousands of Hefazat leaders and activists gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan. Earlier, a procession was organized in the Baitul Mukarram area, where supporters chanted slogans in support of Islam and justice. Law enforcement agencies, including plainclothes and uniformed police, implemented special security measures to ensure the safety of the event at key points across the city.