J&K Students Association Appeals to PM Modi for Urgent Evacuation from Iran
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has formally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the immediate evacuation of approximately 1,200 Kashmiri students currently stranded in Iran. This urgent request comes in the wake of recent military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites, which have escalated regional tensions and raised safety concerns.
Anxious Students and Families Seek Government Intervention
Speaking to ANI, the association’s national convenor, Nasir Khuehami, expressed deep concern over the situation. "This morning, we saw that after the conflict between Iran and Israel, in which Israeli forces attacked Iran, our citizens there, especially Indian students and Indian citizens who have studied and worked there for many years, are very worried," he stated. Khuehami highlighted that around 3,000 Indian students are currently in Iran, with nearly 2,000 hailing from Kashmir. "Still, our 1100-1200 students are there. They want us to evacuate them immediately," he added.
In their letter to the Prime Minister, the association has requested the launch of a full-fledged evacuation operation to ensure the safe return of stranded citizens. "The Government of India should open diplomatic channels and raise the issue with their counterparts," Khuehami emphasized, as quoted by ANI. This appeal underscores the growing anxiety among students and their families back in India.
Regional Escalation and Its Impact on Indian Nationals
The recent military strikes have led to temporary airspace closures in parts of West Asia, disrupting flight routes and complicating evacuation efforts. Iran has also carried out retaliatory strikes in the region, further heightening the crisis. The association has urged the Indian government to prepare a contingency evacuation plan should the situation deteriorate.
Faizan Nabi, Iran coordinator of the students association and a third-semester MBBS student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, provided insights into the challenges faced by students. He noted that nearly half of the Indian students had returned after the Indian embassy in Tehran issued an advisory on February 23, asking nationals to leave by available means. However, many chose to stay due to scheduled examinations.
"Many believed they would complete the exams and then leave. They did not anticipate a sudden escalation," Nabi explained, according to TNN reports. He added that internet and mobile connectivity were disrupted in parts of Iran from Saturday morning, exacerbating communication difficulties. "Parents in India are anxious and contacting us for updates. After considerable effort, we managed to share details of the stranded students with officials at the Indian embassy in Tehran through SMS," he said.
Government Response and Current Advisory
Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced steps to ensure the safety of Indian citizens in the Middle East. In a post on X, he stated that he had consulted the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and directed that "all necessary and proactive measures be undertaken to safeguard our people."
On Saturday, the Indian embassy in Iran issued a fresh advisory on X, urging nationals to exercise caution. The advisory read: "Avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors. Indians may continue to monitor news, maintain situational awareness and await further guidance from the embassy of India." Emergency contact details were provided for assistance.
Most Indian nationals currently in Iran are medical students enrolled across universities in various provinces, with a significant number from Jammu and Kashmir, along with students from Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and other states. For now, there has been no official announcement regarding evacuation. With airspace disruptions and communication challenges, families in India are closely monitoring developments. The next steps will depend on how the regional situation unfolds.
