AIMSA seeks PM Modi’s ‘urgent’ intervention for Indians in Bangladesh as ‘students live in fear’

Indian students in Bangladesh distressed as AIMSA seeks PM Modi’s urgent intervention

The All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “immediate and urgent intervention” to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently stranded in Bangladesh, amid escalating unrest and rising anti-India sentiment in the neighbouring country.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, AIMSA said it has been receiving “serious and distressing communications” from Indian medical students and their families, warning that the prevailing situation has left many living under unsafe and uncertain conditions. The association said the developments have triggered widespread fear, anxiety, and emotional distress among students as well as parents back in India.

“On behalf of the All India Medical Students’ Association, we respectfully seek your immediate and urgent intervention concerning the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently stranded in Bangladesh,” the letter stated.

“Their security remains vulnerable, leading to immense fear, anxiety, and emotional distress among the students as well as their families.”

AIMSA emphasized that Indian students pursuing medical education abroad expect the Indian government to support and protect them during times of crisis. It urged the Prime Minister to coordinate closely with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions in Bangladesh to ensure immediate on-the-ground protection.

The association also called for strengthened embassy-level support, along with clear, timely, and transparent communication with students and their families to prevent panic and misinformation. Emphasising the urgency, AIMSA requested that the matter be treated as a top-priority emergency to safeguard students’ lives, dignity, and future.

Student bodies from India, including the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, have also written to the Prime Minister, citing distress calls from students and parents. According to estimates, nearly 9,000 Indian students are enrolled in medical colleges across Bangladesh, around 4,000 of them from the Kashmir Valley.

Associations warned that many students have been advised to conceal their identity for safety, with several confined to hostels amid fears of being caught in violence. They urged the government to ensure protection and, if necessary, facilitate safe and timely evacuation.

As protests continue and diplomatic tensions remain high, student organisations say swift action is essential to restore confidence and ensure the safety of Indian nationals studying in Bangladesh.

The appeal comes amid renewed instability in Bangladesh following protests linked to last year’s July Uprising, which led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The situation deteriorated sharply after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inquilab Mancha and a prominent youth leader of the 2024 pro-democracy movement.

Hadi was shot at close range on December 12 in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area while travelling in a rickshaw. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced medical treatment but died on December 18. His death sparked widespread protests across Dhaka and other cities, with supporters demanding justice.

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Demonstrations quickly took on an anti-India tone, with protesters attempting to march towards Indian diplomatic premises in several cities.

Incidents of stone-pelting were reported near the Indian Assistant High Commission, while police used tear gas to disperse crowds outside diplomatic residences in Dhaka. Media institutions were also targeted, with offices of major newspapers vandalised and set ablaze.