1. Nearly 1,000 Indian students returned from Bangladesh amid deadly unrest and a nationwide curfew.
2. The unrest, against a government job quota system, has resulted in over 115 deaths.
3. Clashes involved student protesters, police, and pro-government activists.
New Delhi, July 20: Nearly 1,000 Indian students have returned from Bangladesh as authorities in the neighboring country imposed a nationwide curfew due to deadly unrest against a quota system for government jobs. Over 115 people have been killed in clashes between student protesters, police, and pro-government activists.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) referred to the situation in Bangladesh as an “internal matter.” The MEA reported that 778 Indian students returned to India through various land ports, while around 200 students returned via regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports.
“The High Commission of India in Dhaka and our Assistant High Commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance,” the MEA stated.
The High Commission, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bureau of Immigration, has ensured the safe passage of these students through border crossings such as Benapole-Petrapole, Gede-Darshana, and Akhaura-Agartala.
“We see the protests in Bangladesh as an internal matter of the country,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing. He added that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was personally overseeing the safety of Indians in Bangladesh.
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The MEA has issued an advisory for Indian nationals in Bangladesh to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors.
Reasons for Protests in Bangladesh
The protests in Bangladesh, primarily led by students, are against the Sheikh Hasina-led government’s job quota system, which reserves a significant portion of government jobs for certain groups. Protesters argue this system is discriminatory and prevents meritorious candidates from securing government positions.
Last month, Bangladesh’s High Court nullified its decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of the 1971 Liberation War veterans filed petitions, triggering the latest demonstrations.
The clashes have prompted Bangladeshi authorities to shut down all public and private educational institutions indefinitely, disrupting the lives of many students, including those from India.
Evacuation of Indians from Bangladesh
Citizens of India, Nepal, and Bhutan crossed into Meghalaya from violence-affected areas, bringing the total number of people taking refuge in Meghalaya to over 670. The Meghalaya government has also set up a helpline to assist its citizens affected by the violence in Bangladesh.
Among those who returned is Asif Hussain, a medical student from Manikganj district, about 50 km from Dhaka.
Hussain described the experience as harrowing, recalling a six-hour journey under a security escort to the India-Bangladesh border.
“Our college was not directly affected by the violence, but we heard about trouble nearby,” he was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.
Hussain and about 80 other Indian students hired private taxis to travel to the border, where they were met with 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.