A group fears end of everything when women become active, says Prof Anu Muhammad

"Some reforms can be done now, others need an elected government," he says

A section of society reacts with fear when women become active, Democratic Rights Committee President Anu Muhammad has said.

Speaking at a discussion titled “Eight Months of Interim Government: Role and Reform Proposals” in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar on Saturday afternoon, he said: “When women become active, they feel as if everything has ended.”

Anu, a former economics professor at Jahangirnagar University, said the issue is often cloaked in religion.

“Whether they practise religion or not, whenever women’s issues come up, they immediately pull the religion card,” he said. “It’s used to stir up frenzy and incite violence.”

Criticising the interim government, Prof Anu said: “What were the people’s main demands over the past eight months? Has the government delivered on the promises it made?

“We’ve seen a number of reform commissions formed. Reports have been submitted with recommendations that could bring meaningful change if implemented.”

He said the public response to these commissions varied, but the most intense backlash came after the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission released its report.

“Whenever the topic is inheritance or women’s rights, certain groups—under the banner of religion or nationalism—react violently,” Anu added.

“Some are even openly calling for murder in the name of religion. Yet the government has taken no action.”

On labour reform, he said the government could have implemented several steps without waiting on formal commission reports.

“Clearing unpaid wages, holding wage commission meetings regularly, and closing the gender wage gap—these don’t need any report.

“These are duties that should have already been done.”

“These are reforms this government can carry out immediately. If they wanted to show what meaningful reform looks like, this was the chance,” he added.

The professor said not all reforms require a fresh election.

“Now we’re hearing this unnecessary debate—reform first or election first. Some reforms are entirely within this government’s capacity. Others may need an elected mandate.

“But what’s stopping the interim government from doing what it clearly can? That remains unclear.”

Anu also questioned the role of the judiciary. “We’ve seen murder convicts walk free while a child from the Bawm community remains locked up on false charges.

“Members of the Harijan community, with no link to any crime, are being denied bail. Why?”

“If courts are swayed by political influence and pressure from powerful groups—known or unknown—then where is this government’s interest in justice or reform?”

He added that major unresolved murder cases, such as Twaki, Tonu, and Sagar-Runi, have seen no progress under this administration either.