AIMSA Appeals to Prime Minister Modi for Protection of Indian Medical Students in Russia
The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has formally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urgently appealing for the safety and protection of Indian medical students studying in Russia. This appeal comes in direct response to a violent stabbing incident at a Russian university that left four Indian students among the injured.
Violent Attack at Bashkir State Medical University
According to the Indian mission in Moscow, four Indian medical students were among at least six people injured in a stabbing attack on Saturday at Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, Russia's Bashkortostan Republic. Preliminary reports indicate that a teenager armed with a knife entered a university dormitory and attacked students living there, stabbing several individuals before being apprehended.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that during the arrest, two police officers were also stabbed by the attacker, who subsequently inflicted bodily harm on himself. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of bloodshed, with wounded individuals being transported to hospitals via ambulance vans. Authorities in Ufa have reportedly launched a high-level investigation into the incident.
AIMSA's Letter to the Prime Minister
In a letter shared by news agency ANI, AIMSA expressed "deep concern and anguish regarding the recent violent attack on four Indian medical students at Bashkir State Medical University, Russia." The association emphasized that such incidents "not only endanger the lives and dignity of our students but also create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among thousands of Indian medical students studying abroad."
The association made four specific requests to the Government of India:
- Take immediate diplomatic steps with concerned authorities to ensure justice for the attacked students.
- Strengthen safety mechanisms and student support systems for Indian students studying abroad.
- Issue clear advisories and establish emergency helplines for Indian students facing threats or discrimination.
- Ensure strict monitoring and coordination with foreign universities and governments to prevent such incidents in the future.
AIMSA noted that "Indian students travel overseas with dreams of becoming healthcare professionals and serving humanity. Any act of violence, discrimination, or hostility against them is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned. The safety and well-being of our students must remain a top priority."
Details of the Attacker and Response
According to reports from ANI, the attacker has been identified as a 15-year-old youth who allegedly belonged to a banned neo-Nazi organization. During the attack, he reportedly shouted nationalist slogans about the Holocaust, and a Swastika symbol was found drawn on a wall using the victims' blood.
The Indian Embassy in Moscow described the incident as "unfortunate" and confirmed that several persons, including four Indian students, were injured. Embassy officials are in contact with Russian authorities, with consular staff from Kazan en route to Ufa to provide assistance to the injured students.
The Russian Federal Health Ministry stated that four people injured in the attack are receiving medical care, with one in serious condition and three others in moderate condition. The attacker has also been admitted to a local children's hospital in serious condition.
Previous Incident Involving Indian Student
This recent attack follows another concerning incident involving an Indian student in Russia. In November last year, a 22-year-old Indian student named Ajeet Chaudhary was found dead in a dam in Ufa. Chaudhary, a native of Rajasthan's Alwar district, was pursuing his MBBS at Bashkir State Medical University and had been missing since October 19.
His relative, Bhanwar Singh, expressed concerns about the circumstances of his death, stating that "a deeper investigation into the incident is needed as there are still many unanswered questions."
AIMSA concluded their letter by expressing trust in Prime Minister Modi's "leadership and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Indian citizens across the globe" and standing in solidarity with the affected students and their families while urging urgent intervention to prevent recurrence of such tragic incidents.
