Video of Cash Handed to Betel Leaf Vendor Goes Viral, Barrister Shahriar Issues Apology

A video showing a political figure handing cash to a betel leaf vendor during an election campaign has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism. The footage features Barrister ASM Shahriar Kabir, who was campaigning for Jamaat-e-Islami in the Dhaka-15 constituency, and has triggered debate over whether the act violated election rules.

In the video, Shahriar Kabir is seen speaking with an elderly man who sells betel leaves by the roadside. After a brief conversation, he places a Tk 1,000 note into the vendor’s hand before leaving. The incident, recorded during campaign activities, quickly circulated online and drew sharp reactions from users and political observers.

Critics argue that the act may conflict with Bangladesh’s electoral code of conduct introduced in 2008, which prohibits candidates or their representatives from offering money, donations, or financial assistance—either openly or secretly—to individuals or groups within a constituency during the pre-election period.

Following the backlash, Barrister Shahriar Kabir addressed the issue in a Facebook post titled “Humanitarian Appeal.” In the post, he explained that while conducting door-to-door outreach in Mirpur last Saturday, he learned that the betel and cigarette vendor had made very little income that day. He stated that he gave Tk 1,000 publicly and in front of cameras purely out of humanitarian concern, not for electoral gain.

He further wrote that he had also given small amounts of money to children nearby so they could buy badminton rackets, adding that he had clearly told media representatives present not to portray the gesture as anything other than humanitarian assistance. He claimed that videos of the children playing had received positive responses on social media.

However, Shahriar Kabir expressed disappointment that some individuals and media outlets, including activist Zulkar Nain Sayeer, had allegedly presented the act in a misleading way. Describing the situation as deeply hurtful, he said he felt saddened by what he called deliberate misrepresentation. Nevertheless, he offered an apology, stating that if anyone felt hurt by his actions, he was sincerely sorry.

The viral video also captures the conversation preceding the cash handover. Shahriar Kabir asks the vendor about his business, to which the man replies that sales are “average.” Pressed further, the vendor explains that the country’s situation is unstable and that people are living in fear and uncertainty.

In response, Shahriar Kabir is heard making religious remarks, saying that Muslims should trust Allah alone and asking rhetorical questions about who controls livelihood and fate. After the vendor responds by saying “Allah,” Shahriar Kabir continues briefly before placing the money in the man’s hand and leaving the scene.

The incident has reignited discussions on the boundaries between humanitarian gestures and electoral conduct during campaign periods, with many calling for clearer enforcement of election regulations to avoid similar controversies.