The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his “immediate and urgent intervention” to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently stranded in Bangladesh amid escalating anti-India sentiments in the neighbouring country.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the medical students’ body highlighted that Indian students and their families are facing distressing and unsafe conditions, leading to fear, anxiety and emotional distress. AIMSA emphasised that Indian students studying abroad place their trust in the Government of India for protection and support during times of crisis.
“On behalf of the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA), we respectfully seek your immediate and urgent intervention concerning the safety and well-being of Indian medical students currently stranded in Bangladesh. AIMSA has been receiving serious and distressing communications from students and their families regarding the unsafe and uncertain conditions under which these students are presently living,” the letter stated.
“Their security remains vulnerable, leading to immense fear, anxiety and emotional distress among the students as well as their families in India. Indian medical students pursue education overseas with deep trust in the Government of India and the assurance that the nation will stand firmly by them in times of crisis,” it added.
AIMSA urged the Prime Minister to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions in Bangladesh to ensure the immediate safety and protection of all stranded students. The association also called for strengthening on-ground support through the Indian Embassy and related missions, along with ensuring timely, clear and transparent communication with students and their families.
Stressing the gravity of the situation, AIMSA requested that the matter be treated as a top-priority emergency to safeguard the students’ lives, dignity and future.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Indian students in Bangladesh, following a rise in anti-India elements and slogans across the country. These developments have been linked to political groups demanding the return of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted last year after the July Uprising.
Tensions further escalated after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of Inquilab Moncho and a prominent figure in the July Uprising. Hadi was shot at close range on December 12 in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area while travelling in a rickshaw. He was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment on December 15 but succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
Following his death, protests erupted in Dhaka, with supporters of Inquilab Moncho demanding justice. The Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, announced a national day of mourning on December 20. Hadi was also being considered as a potential candidate from Dhaka-8 for the February 2026 national elections. (Agencies)
