A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of several recommendations made in the Women Reform Commission Report.
The petition, submitted Sunday by Advocate Rowshan Ali, questions the compatibility of recommendations in Chapters 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, and 12 with Islamic Shariah, religious sentiments, and the Constitution.
The Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, a 10-member body headed by Shireen Parveen Huq—co-founder of women`s rights group Naripokkho—was established by the government in November 2024. It submitted its 318-page report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on April 19.
In his petition, Rowshan Ali urged the High Court to create a special expert committee consisting of constitutional scholars, Islamic jurists, and civil society figures to evaluate any future reforms related to religious and family laws. He emphasized the sensitivity and national significance of the matter.
The petition cites specific recommendations that, according to Ali, conflict with Islamic doctrine and constitutional provisions. One major objection is to Chapter 11, which proposes equal inheritance rights for men and women—something Ali says contradicts Surah An-Nisa (4:11) of the Qur`an.
He also criticized the report`s recommendation to ban polygamy, arguing that it is a practice permitted under Islamic law and protected by Article 41 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
Speaking to media, Rowshan Ali said the report has sparked widespread public discourse and that he intends to present the petition before the High Court tomorrow.
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