Kashmiri Families Plead for Government Intervention as Students Remain Trapped in Iran
Parents of Kashmiri students currently stranded in Iran have made urgent appeals to the Indian government. They seek immediate assistance to bring their children home safely. This plea comes amid widespread protests and a complete internet shutdown across Iran. The situation has left many Indian students isolated and unable to communicate with their families back home.
Communication Blackout Creates Deep Anxiety
Family members describe immense difficulty in contacting their loved ones. The internet shutdown has severed most digital communication channels. Direct phone calls often fail to connect, adding to the growing fear and uncertainty.
Altaf Ahmad shared his distressing experience. His sister, Sobia, is an MBBS student at Tehran University. She arrived in Iran just one month before the protests erupted.
"We have no internet connection, and our direct calls rarely go through," Ahmad explained. "When she manages to call us, the conversation lasts only a minute or two. This has been an incredibly anxious period for our entire family."
Safety Concerns and Soaring Prices Heighten Crisis
Ahmad revealed alarming details from his last conversation with his sister. Some female students from her hostel ventured out for groceries and returned with injuries. Since that incident, the students have remained confined indoors for their own safety.
The economic impact is also severe. Basic necessities have become exorbitantly expensive. "The girls purchased one kilogram of rice for 2,200 rupees," Ahmad said. "How long can they possibly survive on such limited resources under these conditions?"
He emphasized the practical challenges facing the students. Without internet access, they cannot receive funds or purchase flight tickets online. Even arranging local transportation to reach the embassy or airport seems like an impossible task.
Parents Across Kashmir Voice Their Fears
Afroza, mother of a student at Arak University, echoed these concerns. Her daughter has been studying in Iran for two years. The university is located nearly 300 kilometers from Tehran.
"More than 150 students are at that university, and everyone is extremely anxious," Afroza stated. She confirmed that the Indian Embassy has requested students to submit their passports, a step she hopes will lead to a swift evacuation.
She described a volatile environment around the campus. "Clashes sometimes occur between pro-regime and anti-regime groups," she said. "This makes the overall situation even more dire and dangerous."
Financial Stranding Complicates Evacuation Efforts
Another parent, Mohammad Yasin, highlighted a critical problem. Families are unable to send money to their stranded children due to the communication blackout and banking disruptions.
"At this point, we can only place our hope in the government," Yasin said. "We sincerely hope they will organize a timely evacuation for all these young students."
While the Indian Embassy has already issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to leave Iran, parents argue that without access to funds, their children cannot possibly arrange their own departure.
Political Leaders Engage on the Issue
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken up the matter with the central government. On Thursday, he spoke directly with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar regarding the evolving crisis in Iran.
Following their discussion, Chief Minister Abdullah expressed gratitude for the minister's assurances. He stated that Dr. Jaishankar shared the ministry's assessment of the ground situation and outlined the plans being developed to safeguard Indian citizens.
The Chief Minister publicly acknowledged the commitment to protect the interests and lives of students and other individuals from Jammu and Kashmir currently in Iran.
This high-level engagement provides a glimmer of hope for the worried families. They now await concrete action to reunite them with their children, bringing them home from the heart of the unrest.
