Parents, political parties urge Centre to evacuate J&K students from Iran
Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel and a rising death toll, politicians and parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran have urged the Union Government to take immediate steps for their evacuation or relocation to safer places.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that he had spoken to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the safety and welfare of Kashmiri students in Iran.
“The Hon’ble Minister assured me that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in close contact with its counterparts in Iran and will take all necessary steps to safeguard Indian students,” Abdullah posted on X.
Over the past few days, with Israeli airstrikes targeting sites in Tehran, students from J&K have raised concerns about their safety and requested relocation to secure areas. Their families back home have expressed deep anxiety about the worsening situation.
Nisar Ahmad, a parent from Srinagar, said he managed to speak to his daughter studying in Iran. “She told me the situation is very bad. We are extremely worried. The government must shift the students to safer places,” he said.
A Kashmiri medical student in Iran echoed similar concerns, suggesting that students be moved out of the country temporarily. “The government can at least relocate us to a safer country like Armenia for a few days. The situation is escalating rapidly, and students are scared,” she said.
Political leaders from the Valley have also called on the Central government to act swiftly.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said families of the stranded students are growing increasingly anxious. “I earnestly urge the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and take immediate steps to ensure the safe return of their loved ones,” she posted on X.
People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone appealed to the government for urgent action. “We need to do what it takes to get our citizens back. Efforts must be made to bring these students home safely,” he stated on X.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also issued a late-night appeal to the Union Government. “More than 1300+ Kashmiri students study there, who must be in great fear for their lives, while their parents are in great anguish here. We appeal to the Govt of India to take urgent steps to ensure their safety and well-being and possible return,” he said.
On Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said it had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe conditions faced by hundreds of Kashmiri students in Iran. “Many students are enrolled in colleges and universities located dangerously close to military installations and strategic sites. They report hearing continuous airstrikes, sirens, and observing heightened military activity,” the association stated.
“Some students are residing in cities that have witnessed direct Israeli airstrikes. Since last night, the situation has deteriorated rapidly.”
The association urged the Prime Minister to direct External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to initiate emergency evacuation measures and relocate students to safer areas within Iran.
“This will bring much-needed relief and assurance to the distressed families back home,” it added.
In a late evening update, the association confirmed that officials at the Indian Embassy in Iran are in close coordination with university representatives and local authorities to facilitate the safe and timely evacuation of all Indian students, including those from Kashmir.
J & K