Indian Students in Iran Grapple with Connectivity Crisis Amid Political Unrest
A young Indian student raises his smartphone toward the sky near the Iran-Iraq border. He searches desperately for a signal, any hint of internet connectivity. One bar, two bars—anything to bridge the distance with anxious parents back home. This scene repeats as students clutch their devices, racing through messages while standing near towering iron barriers.
Scrambling for Signals in a Digital Void
Students pace back and forth with hurried voices. Their eyes remain fixed on screens as they manage scant, sporadic signals. Internet services remain suspended across large parts of Iran. An 8pm curfew empties streets in several cities. Indians, many of them students from Jammu and Kashmir studying at universities near the Iraqi border, must rely on this unreliable connectivity.
Mohammad Momin Khan serves as vice-president of the J&K All India Medical Students Association. He has been coordinating with students and parents throughout this crisis. "Parents were panicking because there was no way to reach their children directly," Khan explains. He helped create a WhatsApp group to track those in Iran and share verified updates. "The group helped assure families that students were safe."
Iran hosts approximately 9,000 Indians. The majority are students, with about 2,000 from Jammu and Kashmir enrolled in medical courses. Ongoing political unrest and fears of escalation have disrupted academic life. Universities in several regions have suspended classes and postponed examinations. This leaves students uncertain about both academic timelines and personal safety.
Returning Home Amid Mixed Perceptions
Commercial flights carrying the first batch of Indian students and pilgrims landed in Delhi early Saturday. Most returnees said the situation on the ground was not as dire as social media portrayed. However, the combination created significant anxiety:
- Widespread demonstrations across cities
- Prolonged internet shutdowns
- Strict curfews limiting movement
- Institutional closures affecting daily life
Many students explained their decision to return stemmed less from immediate danger and more from profound uncertainty. The Indian embassy in Tehran has stated formal evacuation operations remain on hold. Officials continue assessing the situation carefully.
According to the students' association, embassy officials maintain contact with students in Iran. They have assured students they will receive information through official channels if evacuation becomes necessary.
Emotional Reunions and Conflicting Reports
Emotional scenes unfolded at IGI Airport as parents waited anxiously for arriving flights. "Coming home felt like a weight lifted," one returning student shared. Yet several students have taken to social media, urging families not to panic. They request clearer communication and guidelines from authorities.
Zoha Syeeda offers a different perspective. The final-year MBBS student at Tehran University from Jammu and Kashmir landed in Delhi recently. She described reports of unrest as largely rumours, stating students remained safe on campus. "There was no chaos," Syeeda insists. "Police were continuously patrolling the area and the university had advised students not to step out. We were in safe hands."
Her father reveals how the communication breakdown affected families. "The lack of reliable communication and the internet shutdown heightened anxiety among families," he says. "We insisted that she return as a precaution." He credits the students' association with playing a crucial role in keeping families informed. The family plans to send Zoha back once the situation stabilizes.
Choosing to Stay Behind
Not all students have returned. Abdulahad's son remains in Iran as a final-year MBBS student. "He tells us that the situation there is under control and that he feels safe," Abdulahad shares. "He will return only if the situation worsens or if he is advised to leave."
This divide highlights the complex reality facing Indian students in Iran. Some seek immediate return while others monitor developments from within. All navigate uncertainty with limited communication options, relying on sporadic signals and community networks to maintain crucial family connections across thousands of kilometers.
