The News Craving
Srinagar:
The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association has urged authorities to ensure safety of Kashmiri students studying in various universities across Bangladesh amidst escalating protests.
Triggered by the reinstatement of a 30% government job quota for descendants of 1971 war veterans by the Bangladesh High Court, the protests have intensified, leading to numerous casualties and injuries. Indian students, including a significant number of Kashmiris, now fear for their safety amid the unrest.
The JKSA has written to External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar to evacuate Kashmiri students from Bangladesh amid spate in violence.
In a post on X, it said,
“Hundreds of distressed Kashmiri students have contacted the association, pleading for immediate relocation from their hostels to safer locations. The volatile situation not only jeopardizes their lives but also disrupts their academic pursuits. Reports indicate stranded students across different universities and colleges in Bangladesh, prompting grave concerns among their families back in Kashmir,” it said in the letter.
The Association has urgently requested the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate the safe evacuation and swift return of Kashmiri students from affected areas in Bangladesh. They emphasize the need for these students to return to India until stability is restored and their safety assured.
The association further appealed for the establishment of dedicated helplines to provide continuous support to students and their families during this crisis. They stress the importance of coordinated efforts with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure safe passage to airports, given the current risks associated with independent travel.
” Kashmiri students have requested us to take up the matter with the Government of India to facilitate their earliest evacuation, fearing that the protests and unrest will not subside soon. They have expressed that they need the assistance to safely reach the airports, as traveling on their own is not safe. There are more than 3,500 Kashmiri students enrolled in different colleges and universities in Bangladesh. Every year, a large number of Kashmiri students join medical and other universities in Bangladesh for further studies.”
“In light of these circumstances, we kindly request the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety and swift relocation of Kashmiri students from the affected areas in Bangladesh. We urge you to consider evacuating the students back to India until the situation in Bangladesh stabilizes and their safety can be guaranteed.”
