RAWALPINDI:
A 10-year-old seminary student was brutally tortured by his teacher, allegedly for refusing the teacher’s sexual advances.
Jamshed Azam*, the only boy among four siblings, has injuries and bruises on his buttocks and legs after he was allegedly tortured by his teacher, Qari Aamir, at Jamia Usmania Saudul Quran on Khyaban-e-Sir Syed, Rawalpindi.
“My son is unable to walk or sit properly after he was tortured on Sunday morning for the reasons best known by the teacher,” said Muhammad Azam*, the victim’s father.
“I sent my son to the madrassah to memorise the holy Quran, as he had already learn 20 chapters of the holy book by heart. I have complained to the Pirwadhai police against the torture and am waiting for legal action against the accused,” said Azam, who is a homeopath by profession.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the victim said, “qari saab said that I, along with another boy had molested a third boy. I denied the allegations, but the teacher refused to hear me and started beating me with electric wire and sticks.”
He accused the teacher of actually wanting to perform “unnatural acts” with him, “But when I refused, qari saab started torturing me.”
Azam said that his son’s medical report from Holy Family Hospital had confirmed the injuries and bruises, but an X-ray had yet to be taken to confirm any fractures.
On the other hand, Qari Aamir confirmed that he tortured the boy and admitted to making a mistake. However, he denied the allegations of trying to force the boy to perform any sexual act.
The seminary teacher said that a nine-year-old boy complained to him that Jamshed and another boy had ‘molested’ him, and Qari Aamir tortured both older boys to teach them a lesson.
In response to a question, he admitted he should not have tortured the boy as law and morality did not allow him to maltreat his students.
He further said that he had obtained pre-arrest bail from the area magistrate and would try to compromise with the victim’s parents.
When contacted, Pirwadhai Station House Officer (SHO) Malik Allah Yar said they had brought the matter on record for further action. However, he maintained that the law did not allow police to take strict action against the teacher unless the torture was “medically proven”.
The SHO further said the police had not yet received the medical report. He further said the complainant party could directly go to court for their redress.
Khalid Qureshi, the head of the madrassah administration, said he had ousted the accused Qari from the facility and he would never be allowed to teach there again.
Expressing concern over the torture of the young student, he said “elements” such as Qari Aamir would not be tolerated at the seminary.
The victim’s father is still appealing to higher authorities though, as he feels certain actions should be taken to protect young children and especially orphans studying at madrassahs, as the children are in no position to approach the police or complain about any maltreatment. *Names changed to protect the victim
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2011.
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