In a related development, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court overturned a high court order reinstating job quotas for the kin of veterans of the 1971 war of liberation, which had sparked the violent protests
More than 4,500 Indian nationals, along with nearly 540 citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, have returned from Bangladesh with the help of Indian authorities amid violent protests over job quotas in the neighboring country. The unrest led to a nationwide curfew and the deployment of the army, resulting in at least 110 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
The Indian external affairs ministry confirmed that over 4,500 Indian students have safely returned home. Additionally, 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan, and one from the Maldives have also been evacuated to India. The Indian high commission in Dhaka has been coordinating security escorts to ensure the safe passage of Indian nationals to land border crossing points.
The high commission and its branches in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna are maintaining regular contact with Bangladeshi authorities to guarantee the safety of Indian nationals. They are also in constant communication with remaining Indian students in various Bangladeshi universities and other Indian citizens in the country to provide welfare and assistance.
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, leaders of the anti-job quota movement vowed to continue their protests, demanding accountability for the deaths of students during the unrest
The external affairs ministry stated on Friday that an estimated 15,000 Indians, including around 8,500 students, were residing in Bangladesh. The ministry’s spokesperson reassured that all Indians in Bangladesh are safe. The Indian missions will remain accessible to offer any necessary assistance to Indian nationals through their emergency contact numbers.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed willingness to shelter distressed individuals from Bangladesh in her state, although such decisions are typically managed by the central government. Banerjee emphasized her stance by referencing a UN resolution on accommodating refugees in regions neighboring conflict zones, citing the example of Assam residents taking refuge in West Bengal during the Bodo agitation.
Despite Banerjee’s humanitarian offer, an anonymous source pointed out that matters of this nature fall under the jurisdiction of the Union government, making her comments somewhat misplaced. Banerjee also assured that her government would assist West Bengal residents with relatives stranded in Bangladesh and provide aid to Bangladeshi citizens in West Bengal facing difficulties in returning home. She urged the people of West Bengal to remain calm and avoid being provoked by the situation in Bangladesh.
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