Allegations of physical abuse, severe beatings and chaining of child students at a madrasa in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, have sparked outrage among parents and local residents, with several videos of the alleged abuse circulating on social media.
The allegations have been raised against Maulana Habibullah Nirob, principal and muhtamim of Madrasaye Babut Taqwa in Ward 6 of Ramgati Municipality.
One of the videos shows a child named Adnan being repeatedly slapped inside a closed room, struck on the head and beaten on different parts of his body with a ruler.
Another shows a child being pinned against a wall and repeatedly hit on the head, while a third captures several students being beaten.
Parents alleged that the incidents were not isolated and that children had long been subjected to physical and psychological abuse in the name of discipline. Some students were even tied with iron chains, they claimed.
Condemning the alleged abuse as inhumane and a violation of children’s rights, local residents demanded a thorough investigation, strict legal action against those responsible and measures to ensure students’ safety.
Adnan’s parents and several other guardians called for exemplary punishment, saying children sent to an educational institution should never be subjected to such treatment.
Madrasa Assistant Teacher Abdul Motin acknowledged the incident and apologised on behalf of the principal.
However, Habibullah Nirob denied the allegations against him and blamed another teacher for the abuse.
“A teacher tortured a student. We have expelled him,” he said.
Nirob also serves as president of the Islami Andolan’s Ramgati municipal unit.
Established in 2025 on the rented second floor of a building in Ward 6 of Ramgati Municipality, Madrasaye Babut Taqwa currently has around 150 students, from nursery to Class 3.
Ramgati Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said the principal was absconding and that legal action would follow his surrender or arrest.
“The principal is absconding. He must surrender or be apprehended first, after which legal action will be taken,” he said.
The official added that several guardians had met him over the allegations but had yet to submit a formal written complaint.
