More than 300 Indian students have returned home due to immense violence in Bangladesh. These students, who were majorly studying MBBS, faced severe disruptions and dangers as protests continued.
Protest Escalation
The protests in Bangladesh have been ongoing for several weeks. They intensified significantly on Monday when violence occurred at Dhaka University. By the following day, six people were killed, leading the government to close universities nationwide.
Difficult Conditions for Students
The returning students were primarily from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir. They used border crossings at Akhurah near Agartala in Tripura and Dawki in Meghalaya to get back to India. Many students were forced to leave after internet and telephone services were severely cut off, making it difficult to contact their families.
Aamir, a second-year student from Marine City Medical College in Chittagong, explained that the worsening situation and restrictions forced him to leave. He had to travel overland to Agartala due to difficulties in booking flight tickets.
Students Experiences
Mohammed Faiz Abdullah Khan, another student, described how the situation became critical when they were asked not to leave their hostels. After learning about the quota protests and receiving advice from college authorities and the Indian Embassy, he and others decided to return to India.
Some students made the six-hour journey by taxi and had security escorts. In Meghalaya, officials reported that over 200 Indian students crossed the border, along with a few students from Bhutan and Nepal.
Ongoing Protests and Quota Controversy
The protests have resulted in at least 104 deaths and over 2,500 injuries. They began after a high court reinstated a 30% reservation in government jobs for family members of Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence fighters. Critics argue this reservation mainly benefits the ruling Awami League party and hinders job prospects for others.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s address to the protesters led to further unrest, including the burning of a state broadcaster’s building. The situation remains tense as the government and protesters continue to clash over the quota issue.