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| Unrest, violence in Bangladesh sparks panic among families of J&K medical students | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 22: An atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty has gripped the families of nearly 4,500 students from Jammu and Kashmir who are currently pursuing MBBS courses in Bangladesh, amid reports of growing unrest and alleged attempts by radical groups to foment anti-India sentiment in the violence-hit country.
According to rough estimates, around 600 to 700 students from Jammu and Kashmir secure admission every year in various medical colleges across Bangladesh, making the prevailing situation a matter of serious concern for parents and relatives back home. Families fear for the safety and well-being of their wards as incidents of violence, protests, and political instability continue to be reported from several parts of Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and surrounding regions. The developments have cast a cloud of uncertainty over thousands of aspiring doctors from the region who have chosen Bangladesh as a preferred destination for medical education due to affordable fees and quality infrastructure. Parents have urged the authorities to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Indian students.
Amid the rising concern, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking urgent intervention to safeguard Indian medical students studying in Bangladesh. In its letter, the Association appealed for immediate measures to ensure the security, dignity, and well-being of students in view of the volatile situation.
National Convenor of JKSA, Nasir Khuehami, said there are nearly 9,000 Indian students pursuing medical education in Bangladesh, including over 4,000 from the Kashmir Valley alone. He said the Association has been receiving distress calls and messages from students and their families, who are deeply anxious over An atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty has gripped the families of nearly 4,500 students from J&K who are currently pursuing MBBS courses in Bangladesh.
According to rough estimates, around 600 to 700 students from J&K secure admission every year in various medical colleges across Bangladesh.
Families fear for the safety and well-being of their wards as incidents of violence, protests, and political instability continue to be reported from several parts.
The developments have cast a cloud of uncertainty over thousands of aspiring doctors from the region who have chosen Bangladesh as a preferred destination for medical education.
“Students studying in Dhaka have informed us that they have been advised to conceal their identity for their own safety, which is extremely disturbing and unacceptable for young Indians who have gone abroad solely to pursue education,” Khuehami said. He added that reports of the death and lynching of a student leader have further alarmed the Indian student community and intensified fears among families back home.
Highlighting the plight of students, the Association said many are confined to hostels and private accommodations, facing restrictions on movement, lack of clear information, and constant fear of being caught in violence. “Parents in India are living in continuous anxiety, uncertain about the safety of their children. The prevailing conditions are unsafe and unpredictable, leaving students feeling vulnerable and stranded,” the Association said.
Urging swift action, Khuehami 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 safety and protection of Indian students.
The Association also sought contingency planning, including evacuation, if the situation worsens. “Should the current tension and violence continue or escalate, the Government of India must consider making arrangements to evacuate Indian students safely. Timely intervention will help prevent any untoward incident and reassure thousands of anxious families across the country,” it said.
Reposing faith in the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Association expressed confidence that India would stand by its citizens abroad in times of crisis. “These students are future doctors who will serve the nation. Their safety and well-being must remain the highest priority,” the Association added. |
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