Hefazat-e-Islam will carry out nationwide protests on May 23 to press home a charter of demands, including the dissolution of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission.
Hefazat supremo Muhibullah Babunagari made the announcement while addressing a grand rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Saturday.
Earlier, Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, the organisation’s nayeb-e-ameer, read out their 12-point demand, which also included the cancellation of the reform commission.
Hefazat leaders called upon the government to not tolerate any anti-Qur’an or anti-Sunnah policies to be implemented in a country where 90 percent of the population is Muslim.
They also demanded justice for the alleged mass killing that took place at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel during the Awami League government’s tenure on May 5, in 2013.
Speakers at the rally said they were prepared to sacrifice their lives in order to protect the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh, but actions that go against the Qur’an and Sunnah would not be tolerated.
They enquired as to why no steps had been taken to probe the alleged killings that took place at Shapla Chattar in 2013, while commissions were formed to investigate the BDR mutiny and the July movement.
Referring to the withdrawal of dozens of cases filed against members of several political parties during the Sheikh Hasina regime, the speakers said, when it came to Hefazat leaders and activists, the issue remained unresolved.
They, therefore, demanded immediate withdrawal of all such cases.
Hefazat leaders also urged the government to play an active role in ending what they deemed to be the “Muslim genocide and oppression” in Palestine and India.
Thousands of Hefazat leaders and activists descended on the venue to attend the rally and press home their demands.
The rally began around 9:00 am and ended at 1:00 pm. Earlier, Hefazat activists brought out a procession outside the national mosque Baitul Mukarram area and chanted slogans.
They also called for people to join the programme in support and promotion of Islam and justice.
Law-enforcement agencies took special measures to ensure security during the event.
Members of security forces, including plain-clothes police officers, were stationed at key points across the city since early Saturday.