Hafez Qari Zubayer Ahmad Tashrif has sparked controversy with remarks defending a teacher accused of sexually abusing a madrasa student, saying, “I have kissed many children. Do you have the courage to hit me?”

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists at a press conference on Saturday (October 24). He also argued that the punishment should not exceed the severity of the alleged offence.

At the press conference, Tashrif questioned why people would vandalise the madrasa over the allegation. He claimed that the teacher had not actually kissed the student but had expressed an intention to do so. According to Tashrif, the teacher had allegedly said he would kiss the student if the child achieved good results, describing it as an expression of affection.

Drawing comparisons with alleged misconduct involving political figures, Tashrif questioned whether the leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami should be held responsible for the alleged actions of individuals associated with their respective parties.

Referring to himself, he said, “If I say that I have kissed many children, do you have the courage to hit me?” He further claimed that people accompanying him would have retaliated violently if someone had attacked him. He also alleged that Shahjalal Rumi had caused two of his Facebook accounts to be taken down, adding that such actions would not silence them.

Tashrif said their social media pages might be shut down, but their message would continue to spread. He insisted that he did not want to take sides in the matter.

“If any evidence is found that the cleric raped the child or attempted to do so, then such a beating might have been justified. But how can someone be beaten like this merely for saying that he would give a kiss?” he asked.

Addressing Rumi, Tashrif challenged him to a lengthy televised discussion, saying he could explain the matter in detail. He reiterated that punishment should be proportionate to the offence and again referred to the teacher’s alleged promise to kiss the student if the child obtained good results. He also claimed that the teacher had given the child chocolate.

The controversy follows the circulation of a video on social media showing a teacher being slapped over allegations of sexual abuse involving a six-year-old madrasa student in Tongi, Gazipur. Police later arrested the accused teacher.

The incident took place around noon on Wednesday (October 21) at Kariul Quran International Madrasa in the Auchpara area of Tongi. The arrested teacher, identified as Musleuddin, was the institution’s vice-principal.

The incident and Tashrif’s subsequent comments have drawn renewed public attention to the case. The allegations against the teacher remain allegations and should be assessed through a proper investigation and legal process.