Chief whip questions opposition’s Shariah objection to parents’ property rights bill

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni has questioned the opposition’s objection to a newly passed property transfer law aimed at protecting elderly parents’ right to benefit from assets transferred to their children.

Speaking at a press conference at the Jatiya Sangsad media centre on Friday (September 11), Moni said opponents were invoking Shariah law to challenge the legislation even though the bill contains no provision introducing Shariah law.

“If Shariah is being cited to oppose this bill, does that mean all existing laws must also conform to Shariah?” he asked.

The Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament on Sept. 6, allows property to be transferred to children, grandchildren or spouses while protecting the donor’s right to enjoy the property during their lifetime.

Opposition members of the relevant parliamentary committee have called for opinions from Islamic law and Shariah experts to determine whether the legislation conflicts with Muslim inheritance principles.

Moni defended the bill as a safeguard against elderly parents being deprived of their homes or financial security after transferring property to their children.

He said the government had also consulted 16 foreign ambassadors, as well as lawyers, judges, journalists and other stakeholders, before drafting laws on enforced disappearances and human rights.

Six bills passed in nine sitting days
Reviewing the third parliamentary session, Moni said six bills were introduced and all six were passed during the nine-day session. Parliament also discussed numerous notices under different provisions of its rules of procedure.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directly answered 15 questions, while 1,678 questions were addressed during the session, he said.

101 MoUs under review
Asked about agreements involving foreign vessels at Chattogram Port, the chief whip said the government was reviewing 101 memorandums of understanding signed during the previous Sheikh Hasina administration, including those involving India.

“We will let you know the outcome very soon,” he said.

Power shortages
Responding to questions about protests over electricity and gas shortages, Moni said large-scale protests could not immediately resolve supply constraints.

Building a 200- to 500-megawatt power plant takes at least two to two-and-a-half years, he said.

Govt-opposition ties
Moni rejected suggestions that relations between the government and opposition had deteriorated, saying the two sides had instead moved closer on several issues. He accused the opposition leader of trying to create a particular political narrative.

He also highlighted the opposition’s representation on parliamentary standing committees, saying opposition lawmakers hold three seats each on 22 of the 39 ministry-related committees.

On implementation of the July Charter, Moni said the government would implement what had been signed, while any provision requiring constitutional changes would have to be implemented through constitutional amendment.