Fida Hussan Srinagar, Jan 15: Amid rapidly deteriorating conditions in Iran, parents of Kashmiri students studying there have made an emotional appeal to the Central government, seeking immediate evacuation of their children.
Scores of anxious parents assembled at the Press Enclave in Srinagar on Wednesday, urging authorities to act swiftly in view of the growing unrest and safety concerns in Iran.
“We appeal to the Prime Minister, the External Affairs Minister, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Lieutenant Governor to ensure the safe return of our children,” one parent told reporters. He expressed confidence in the government’s evacuation capabilities, citing past rescue operations in crisis-hit countries.
“The Centre has successfully evacuated Indian nationals from conflict zones like Ukraine earlier. We are hopeful that the government will not allow the situation to worsen and will bring our children back before any harm occurs,” he said.
Parents alleged that the Indian Embassy in Tehran has advised students to leave the country on their own, without a coordinated evacuation plan.
“They have asked students to arrange their travel independently and stay in touch with families. Communication itself has become extremely difficult. ISD calls barely connect, and we are living in constant fear,” another parent said, urging both the Union Territory administration and the Centre to intervene urgently.
In a fresh advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged all Indian nationals—including students, pilgrims, businesspersons, and tourists—to leave Iran through available means, including commercial flights.
According to estimates, over 10,000 Indians, a significant number of them students, are currently residing in Iran.
Several parents expressed frustration over the practical challenges of arranging travel. The mother of a student highlighted the impact of the internet shutdown in Iran, saying, “Even if we manage to book tickets, we cannot send them to our children due to the internet blockade. It is nearly impossible. The government must evacuate them.”
Iran has been witnessing nationwide protests since late last month, initially triggered by the sharp fall of the Iranian rial. The unrest has since spread to all 31 provinces, evolving from economic protests into broader political demonstrations.
The situation has worsened in recent days, with the death toll from the protests crossing 2,500, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
The parents have urged authorities not to wait for further escalation and to launch a coordinated evacuation operation to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students stranded in Iran.
