Disturbing video of child abuse at Dhaka school sparks outrage

A video circulating widely on social media showing a young child being mistreated, abused and intimidated at a private educational institution in Dhaka has sparked widespread outrage.

The footage, shared today (21 January) on Facebook by Advocate Saleh Uddin, shows a woman – believed to be a teacher – wearing a pink saree dragging a schoolboy, could be 4-5 years old, into an office room. 

The child, dressed in a school uniform, is then taken before a man seated behind a desk, who is also believed to be a teacher.

In the video, dated 18 January around 12:51pm as per the CCTV footage, the woman is seen repeatedly slapping and scolding the visibly distressed child while seated on a sofa. 

At one point, the man approaches the boy holding a stapler and threatening to staple his mouth, further intensifying the atmosphere of intimidation. 

The sequence repeats several times, with the child showing clear signs of fear and distress.

The woman is also seen smirking during the incident, a detail that has drawn sharp condemnation from viewers online.

Two more women, assumed to be employees of the school, peeped into the room, as seen at the end of the video, during which time the child remained seated on the sofa and the man and woman put a pin on their torturous moves.

According to the caption accompanying the video, the incident took place at an educational institution in Dhaka called Sharmin Academy. 

Advocate Saleh Uddin described the footage as a "sample image" of how children are allegedly punished at the institution and urged parents to exercise greater caution when choosing schools or coaching centres for their children. 

He also called on the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities to take immediate action.

The video quickly went viral, triggering widespread criticism and demands for accountability.

Contacted regarding the incident, Hussain Md Farabi, assistant commissioner of the Motijheel zone, said law enforcement officials had already spoken with the victim's family. 

"If an FIR is filed, a case will be registered," he said, adding that further investigation is underway.

A TBS correspondent visited the school this afternoon, but found the institution to be closed. No official of the school was available for comment.

Experts stress legal accountability, counseling for perpetrators

Umme Salma Akter Urmi, organiser of the non-profit organisation Path-er School and a child rights activist, said, "A child depends on us. We cannot punish them for their mistakes. Doing so harms their mental health. No child should be subjected to such abuse. 

"Those who carry out such acts should first undergo counseling because they may not even realise the seriousness of their wrongdoing. If counseling does not work, proper legal action must be taken."

Although Bangladesh has laws to prevent child abuse, there are shortcomings in their actual enforcement, according to sources. Under the Children Act, 2013, any form of physical or mental abuse against a child is a punishable offense. However, in reality, many such incidents are suppressed under the pretext of maintaining familial or social "discipline."

Abu Ahmed Faijul Kabir, senior coordinator of Ain o Salish Kendra, said, "Articles 27, 31, and 32 of the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantee every citizen equality before the law, as well as security of life and dignity. Moreover, according to the Children Act, 2013 and the National Children Policy, 2011, all forms of physical and mental abuse against children are completely prohibited. 

"The Supreme Court has clearly directed that corporal punishment in educational institutions is not allowed under any circumstances. At the international level, Articles 19 and 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child [CRC] impose an obligation on states, including Bangladesh, to protect children from violence and cruel treatment."

He added that such abuse causes long-term trauma in children's mental development and endangers their future. Therefore, responsible individuals must be held legally accountable without any delay.

Human rights organisations note that unless videos go viral on social media, most incidents of abuse remain unknown. This not only delays the justice process but also gives perpetrators a chance to evade accountability. 

Nasiruddin Alan, editor and director of the human rights organization Odhikar, told The Business Standard, "No one should be harmed. Children cannot be corrected through physical abuse. Such incidents should be promptly brought under the law."

Experts believe that the safety of children and the active involvement of law enforcement can reduce the occurrence of such incidents.

Hussain Md Farabi, assistant commissioner of the Motijheel Zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said, "Yesterday, we heard statements from the victim's family members and collected information from them. However, the families did not agree to file any case or formal complaint. If they wish, cases can be filed immediately under the law.