EXPLAINER: Why Thousands of Islamists Are Protesting Women’s Rights Reforms in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh – On May 3, 2025, more than 20,000 Islamist supporters rallied near Dhaka University in a show of force against a set of proposed legal reforms aiming to grant equal rights—particularly property rights—to women in Bangladesh. At the center of the uproar is a growing debate over religion, gender equality, and political change in a volatile post-Hasina era.

What’s Happening?

The demonstrations were led by Hefazat-e-Islam, a hardline Islamist group that claims the proposed reforms clash with Sharia law, particularly around the issue of inheritance. Protesters carried placards declaring “Say no to Western laws on our women, rise up Bangladesh.” The group has given the interim government until May 23 to withdraw the reforms or face nationwide protests.

What Reforms Are Being Proposed?

The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has formed a legal reforms commission. Its aim: to modernize Bangladesh’s laws, especially those seen as discriminatory toward women under current Islamic inheritance laws. The commission’s proposed changes would provide equal property rights for women, currently limited under religious personal law.

Why Is This Causing Controversy?

According to Mamunul Haque, a prominent leader of Hefazat-e-Islam, the reforms “hurt the sentiments of the majority” and falsely portray religious inheritance law as the root of gender inequality. He also demanded the commission’s disbandment and punishment of its members.

This protest isn’t just about laws—it reflects a broader cultural battle over secularism vs religious governance. Bangladesh’s constitution promises equality, but in practice, personal laws—especially around marriage, divorce, and inheritance—remain governed by religion.

The Political Backdrop

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in August 2024 following mass protests and student uprisings, remains in exile in India. Her party, the Awami League, is now a target of Hefazat-e-Islam, which has demanded it be banned entirely. Human rights groups allege that Islamist groups have become more emboldened since her departure, and minority communities say they now face greater intimidation.

What’s Next?

The situation remains tense. The Hefazat group has threatened larger demonstrations across Bangladesh unless the reforms are shelved. The interim government has yet to respond definitively, but officials face a tough balancing act—modernize the legal system to protect women’s rights, or appease hardline groups and risk backtracking on secular democratic principles.