A massive exodus of Indian students is underway from Bangladesh, where violent protests have erupted over a controversial job quota system. The unrest has claimed over 115 lives, prompting the Indian government to intervene and ensure the safe return of its citizens.
So far, nearly 1,000 Indian students have made it back to India, with 778 crossing the border by land and around 200 flying in from Dhaka and Chittagong airports. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with over 4,000 students still stranded in Bangladesh, providing them with necessary assistance.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, along with the Border Security Force and the Bureau of Immigration, is working tirelessly to facilitate the safe passage of Indian students through border crossings. The government has advised Indian nationals in Bangladesh to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
The protests in Bangladesh are against the government’s job quota system, which sets aside a significant number of government jobs for certain groups. Protesters argue that this system is unfair and prevents deserving candidates from getting hired. The Bangladeshi authorities have shut down all educational institutions indefinitely, affecting the lives of many students, including those from India.
In addition to Indian students, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan have also crossed into Meghalaya from the violence-affected areas, taking refuge in the state. The Meghalaya government has set up a helpline to assist its citizens affected by the violence in Bangladesh.
One of the students who returned, Asif Hussain, described the experience as terrifying. He and about 80 other Indian students hired private taxis to travel to the border, where they faced further delays before finally crossing into India.
The ongoing protests have not only disrupted daily life but also severely affected communication networks, with mobile internet services cut off in many areas. The Indian High Commission has activated multiple helplines operating round the clock to assist Indian nationals and has been providing regular updates to keep families informed about the situation.
