Tens of thousands of supporters of an Islamist group rallied in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, on May 3rd to condemn proposed recommendations to ensure equal rights between men and women in the Muslim-majority nation, including ones related to property.

As many as 20,000 followers of the Hefazat-e-Islam turned out to express their support for the Islamist group and laid out their demands for the country’s interim government under Muhammad Yunus. Some supporters carried banners and placards reading "Say no to Western laws on our women, rise up Bangladesh" near Dhaka University.

They opposed proposals by the Bangladeshi government, which include equal inheritance rights for women, a ban on polygamy, and recognition of sex workers as laborers, arguing that the proposed legal reforms contradict Sharia law.

Mamunul Haque, one of the group’s leaders, demanded that the interim government abolish its reforms commission and that its members be punished for the proposed changes, arguing that some of the recommendations proposed hurt "the sentiments of the majority of the people of this country" by suggesting that the laws of inheritance are the main cause of inequality between men and women in Bangladesh.

The Islamist group’s leaders also demanded that the interim government ban the Awami League Party, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She was ousted in August last year after weeks of student-led protests. She has been in exile in India since she was overthrown.

However, concerns are raised as Islamist groups have increased their visibility and influence since Hasina was ousted, with minority groups complaining that they felt intimidated.

Human Rights Watch called on the Bangladeshi government to comply with its obligations under international human rights law to ensure gender equality, adding that women and girls have played huge roles in Bangladesh’s history, from the fight for its independence from Pakistan in 1971 to the more recent 2024 July Revolution, which saw the ouster of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Today’s period of political transition is another inflection point and a unique opportunity for Bangladesh’s government to strengthen its commitment to women’s rights. The government should not miss the chance to do so.“ Human Rights Watch said.