5 students in Nawabganj, one in Gazipur: Sexual abuse allegations in madrasas sparks outrage

Two disturbing cases of alleged sexual abuse in madrasahs have come to light, raising serious questions about the safety of children in such residential educational institutions.

The cases, involving multiple victims and sparking local outrage, have prompted urgent investigations and calls for stronger child protection.

In Nawabganj upazila, a case has been filed against Md Wasim, principal of a local madrasah, for allegedly raping five children. 

The FIR was lodged on Friday night by the mother of one of the victims at Nawabganj Police Station. Officer-in-Charge Mominul Islam confirmed that the police have accepted the case and are actively seeking to apprehend Wasim, who fled on the night of 20 October after the allegations became public.

According to the FIR and statements from the victims' families, Wasim allegedly called students to his bedroom and sexually assaulted them repeatedly. The first incident came to light on 15 October when a girl refused to attend the madrasah. 

Upon questioning by her mother, the child disclosed the abuse in tears. Following this revelation, four more students from the same village reported similar experiences. The allegations created tension within the local community. 

The accused is still evading authorities, and the madrasah has been temporarily shut.

Meanwhile, in Sreepur, Gazipur, another incident of alleged child sexual abuse triggered public anger. Md Mohsin, a 35-year-old teacher at Darun Hikmah Hafezia Madrasa, was accused of raping a 12-year-old boy studying in the madrasa's Noorani section.

His father reported that the rape allegedly occurred inside the residential madrasa sometime on Friday. The matter came to light after the child's grandfather visited the madrasa in the afternoon, and the child took leave to go home.

Upon reaching home, the boy narrated the ordeal to his father and grandfather, quickly spreading the news in the locality. 

Police and local sources confirmed that after the incident became public at around 9pm, locals assaulted Mohsin and dragged him to the Mawna Chowrasta police box, staging a demonstration late into the night. 

Two teams from Sreepur Police Station were initially dispatched to control the situation, but faced difficulty managing the crowd. Additional police forces arrived around 11pm, dispersing demonstrators and taking the teacher to the station.  The tension reportedly lasted for about an hour.

Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Barik stated that the teacher has been rescued and necessary steps will be taken to ensure justice for the victims and to maintain the safety of children in madrasahs.