Indian Students Flee Bangladesh Amid Escalating Protests; Over 300 Cross Borders in One Day

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th July. The escalating crisis in Bangladesh has driven Indian students to return home using any available means, with over 300 crossing border points in the northeast on Friday alone. The turmoil, marked by widespread protests, has resulted in nearly 64 deaths and numerous injuries.

The unrest, which has persisted for weeks, intensified on Monday when violence erupted at Dhaka University, leading to six fatalities the following day. The Bangladeshi government responded by shutting down universities nationwide.

Indian students, primarily pursuing MBBS degrees, have been severely affected. Many hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Jammu and Kashmir chose to leave Bangladesh amid deteriorating conditions, including a near-total internet shutdown and disrupted telephone services. Key border crossing points used on Friday included Akhaura in Agartala and Dawki in Meghalaya.

Aamir, a second-year student at Marine City Medical College and Hospital in Chittagong, explained, “The situation worsened significantly, and with communication severed, we had no choice but to return. We couldn’t secure flight tickets and had to travel by road to Agartala.”

Mohammed Faiz Abdullah Khan, a fellow student, recounted, “The college authorities advised us to leave after the campus was closed and movement was restricted. The Indian Embassy supported our decision to return and helped facilitate our crossing into India.”

In Meghalaya, over 200 Indians crossed the border due to the unrest, with additional students from Bhutan and Nepal also entering India. State officials are coordinating with the Bangladesh High Commission and Land Port Authority to ensure safe returns.

The violence began after a high court reinstated a 30% reservation in government jobs for family members of freedom fighters and veterans from the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence. Critics argue that the quota disproportionately benefits supporters of the ruling Awami League party, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Protests intensified after Hasina’s televised address, which led to further violence, including the burning of a state broadcaster’s building.