Fear and uncertainty have gripped the families of nearly 5,000 students from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir who are currently pursuing medical courses, particularly MBBS, in various colleges across violence-hit Bangladesh, as unrest and political tensions continue to escalate in the neighbouring country.
Families are deeply anxious amid reports of ongoing protests and alleged attempts by certain radical groups to fuel anti-India sentiment ahead of Bangladesh’s general elections. According to available estimates, nearly 700 students from Jammu and Kashmir enrol each year in different medical colleges across Bangladesh, making the current situation a matter of grave concern for parents and relatives back home.
Voicing his concern, Abdul Rashid, a Kashmir resident whose son is pursuing an MBBS degree in Bangladesh, said the Union Government must take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of Indian students studying there.
The unprecedented violence and reports of selective killings by unruly mobs have heightened fears among families in Jammu and Kashmir. Parents say they are increasingly worried about the safety and well-being of their children as incidents of violence, protests, and political instability continue to be reported from several parts of Bangladesh, particularly Dhaka and adjoining regions.
Unabated attacks on innocent and unarmed people by unruly mobs, allegedly involving groups of so-called students, have cast a shadow of uncertainty over thousands of aspiring doctors from the region. Many students had chosen Bangladesh as a preferred destination for medical education due to affordable fees and quality infrastructure. Parents have urged the authorities to closely monitor developments and take all necessary steps to protect Indian students.
JKSA writes to Prime Minister
Amid the growing concern, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking urgent intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently studying in Bangladesh in view of the prevailing unrest and incidents of violence, especially in Dhaka and nearby areas.
In its letter to the Prime Minister, the Association urged immediate intervention to safeguard Indian students, citing the uncertain and volatile conditions in the country.
The JKSA said there are around 9,000 Indian students pursuing medical education in various colleges across Bangladesh, of whom more than 4,000 are from the Kashmir Valley. It said the Association has been receiving distress calls and messages from students and their families, reflecting deep anxiety over the rapidly deteriorating situation.
“We have been informed by students studying in Dhaka that they have been advised to conceal their identity for their own safety, which is deeply disturbing and unacceptable for young Indians who have gone abroad solely to pursue education,” the Association said.
It further noted that reports of the “death and lynching of a student leader have shocked and alarmed the entire student community and their families back home,” highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the potential risks faced by Indian students.
Highlighting the plight of the students, the Association said many remain confined to hostels and private accommodations, facing restrictions on movement, lack of clear information, and fear of being caught in violence. “Parents in India are living in constant anxiety, unsure about the safety of their children. The prevailing conditions are unsafe and unpredictable, leaving students feeling vulnerable and stranded,” it said.
Urging swift action, the JKSA appealed to the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to urgently engage with the Government of Bangladesh and seek firm assurances regarding the security, dignity, and well-being of Indian students.
The Association also sought contingency planning, including evacuation, if the situation continues to worsen. “If the tension and violence persist or escalate, the Government of India should consider making arrangements to evacuate Indian students safely, so that no young life is put at risk. Timely evacuation, if required, will help prevent any untoward incident and reassure anxious families across the country,” it said.
Reposing faith in the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Association said India has always stood by its citizens abroad in times of crisis. “These students are future doctors who will serve the nation, and their safety and well-being must remain the highest priority,” it added.
