The High Court (HC) has dismissed a writ petition with observations that challenged the legality of several allegedly controversial provisions recommended by the Women's Reform Commission.
The order was issued on Monday by a HC bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi, reports Bangla Tribune.
Advocate Rowshan Ali argued on behalf of the petitioner, while Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoze represented the commission in court.
Earlier, a writ was filed in the HC seeking the formation of an expert committee to review the reportedly controversial and conflicting issues in the Women's Reform Commission’s report.
Supreme Court lawyer Rowshan Ali filed the writ petition challenging the legality of several provisions recommended by the commission.
The petitioner said that recommendations made in Chapters 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, and 12 of the Women's Reform Commission Report 2025 are contrary to Islamic Shariah, offensive to religious sentiments, and in conflict with the constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
The Women's Reform Commission Report 2025 is a 318-page document that has recently been published and widely discussed across various platforms.
Several of its recommendations directly contradict Islamic Shariah, the country’s constitution, and the values of the devout Muslim population.
Key points raised in the petition include:
- Equal inheritance rights for men and women, proposed in Chapter 11 of the report, contradict Surah An-Nisa (4:11) of the Qur’an.
- A proposal to ban polygamy, which is a provision permitted under Islamic Shariah, violates the right to practice religion as per Article 41 of the constitution.
- Blind endorsement of the slogan “My body, my choice,” which, without grounding in Shariah principles, is seen as an attempt to transgress moral boundaries.
- The recommendation to recognize sex work as a legal profession, which contradicts Islamic values and Articles 2A and 26 of the constitution.
- Language used in the report regarding gender identity and transgender issues was deemed anti-Shariah and in conflict with religious beliefs.
The writ petition named three ministries and the chairperson of the Women's Reform Commission as respondents.