Baishali Mukherjee

Amid escalating attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, which led to the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on November 25, 2024, many Indian students are feeling unsafe and are seeking refuge in West Bengal to continue their academic careers. Following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a notable Hindu leader, the situation in Bangladesh has intensified, leading to violent protests and further unrest. This climate of uncertainty is prompting many minority Bangladeshi students to seek safer educational opportunities abroad, particularly in neighboring West Bengal.

The turmoil was sparked by protests against a quota system that allocated 30 percent of government jobs to families of veterans from the 1971 War of Independence. The situation for minorities worsened on August 5, when months of student protests culminated in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepping down and fleeing the country. For many, this marked the beginning of heightened threats and violence. Subsequently, more than 7,200 Indian students left Bangladesh and returned to India, uncertain of their safety, the potential loss of an academic year, and countrywide internet shutdowns. While some students await assurances of safety before considering a return to Bangladesh, others are actively seeking assistance from the Indian embassy for evacuation options.

Nearly 7,000 Indian students studying medicine in Bangladesh have been particularly affected. Bangladesh’s 25 percent reservation of medical college seats for international students, the cost of studying medicine being nearly half of what it is in India, and its proximity to India make it a popular destination for Indian students pursuing medical degrees. Other popular destinations include Russia, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Armenia. However, with the ongoing unrest, their academic careers are in jeopardy.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed serious concern over the recent political unrest in Bangladesh and has urged the Modi government to seek help from the United Nations in deploying peacekeeping forces in the neighboring country. Speaking at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on December 2, Banerjee emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of people from all religions, castes, and communities, including students studying in Bangladesh.

“The current situation in Bangladesh is deeply concerning. I appeal to the central government to approach the United Nations for the deployment of peacekeeping forces. Security must be ensured for all, irrespective of religion, caste, or creed. Many people in this state have relatives in Bangladesh. Stop torturing them. From this platform, we must express solidarity,” Banerjee said. Additionally, the chief minister and TMC supremo called for a statement in Parliament from either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. “If the Prime Minister cannot respond, the Foreign Affairs Minister should make a statement. One political party is holding rallies daily on this issue, but they must remember it is a foreign affairs matter. We cannot make casual remarks on it,” she added.

Also read: Lessons From Bangladesh Meltdown