Following deadly protests in Bangladesh over a controversial job quota system, the Indian government has facilitated the return of 245 Indian citizens, including 125 students. The violent clashes between protesters and police, which defied a ban on public gatherings, have resulted in 64 deaths.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has declared the situation in Bangladesh an "internal matter" but reassured that it is closely monitoring the safety of the approximately 15,000 Indians in the country, including 8,500 students. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is working with local authorities to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals.

By Friday evening, 245 Indians, including 125 students, had safely returned to India. The Indian High Commission also assisted in the evacuation of 13 Nepali students. In collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bureau of Immigration, the High Commission has been facilitating the safe passage of these individuals through border crossings such as Benapole-Petrapole, Gede-Darshana, and Akhaura-Agartala.

"We view the protests in Bangladesh as an internal issue," Jaiswal stated during a media briefing. He added that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is personally overseeing the safety of Indians in Bangladesh. The MEA has issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in Bangladesh to avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors.

Background of the Protests

The ongoing protests in Bangladesh, primarily led by students, are against the government's job quota system, which reserves a significant portion of government jobs for certain groups. Protesters argue that this system is discriminatory and prevents meritorious candidates from securing government positions. The demonstrations were triggered after Bangladesh’s High Court reinstated the quotas last month, following petitions from relatives of 1971 Liberation War veterans.

In response to the unrest, Bangladeshi authorities have shut down all public and private educational institutions indefinitely, affecting many students, including those from India.

Evacuation Efforts

Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese citizens have sought refuge in Meghalaya, with over 670 people crossing into the state from violence-affected areas. The Meghalaya government has established a helpline to assist its citizens affected by the violence in Bangladesh.

Among the evacuees is Asif Hussain, a medical student from Manikganj district, about 50 km from Dhaka. Hussain described his journey as harrowing, recalling a six-hour trip under a security escort to the India-Bangladesh border. Despite not being directly affected by the violence, Hussain and around 80 other Indian students hired private taxis to reach the border, where they faced further delays before finally crossing into India.

The protests have not only disrupted daily life but also severely impacted communication networks, with mobile internet services cut off in many areas. The Indian High Commission has activated multiple helplines operating around the clock to assist Indian nationals and is providing regular updates to keep families informed about the situation.