In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the return of over 4,500 Indian students, along with 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan, and one from the Maldives.

New Delhi: In the wake of violent protests in Bangladesh against job quotas, more than 4,500 Indian nationals and nearly 540 citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives have safely returned. The protests have led to a nationwide curfew and the deployment of the army, which resulted in the deaths of at least 110 people and injuries to hundreds more.

Evacuation efforts by Indian authorities

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the return of over 4,500 Indian students, along with 500 students from Nepal, 38 from Bhutan, and one from the Maldives. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has been crucial in arranging security escorts to ensure the safe travel of Indian nationals to land border crossing points.

Update on return of Indian Nationals in Bangladesh (July 21, 2024): pic.twitter.com/awOXrUnJT8

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2024

The Indian Commission, including those in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna, are in continuous contact with Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian citizens.

Assurances of safety

The MEA had previously estimated that around 15,000 Indians, including approximately 8,500 students, were in Bangladesh. The ministry's spokesperson assured that all Indians in Bangladesh were safe and that the Indian missions are available to provide assistance through their emergency contact numbers.

Political reactions in India

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to provide shelter to distressed individuals from Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally in Kolkata, she stated that while she should not comment on Bangladesh's internal affairs, she would ensure shelter for those in need, citing the UN resolution on refugees.

Hon'ble Chief Minister #MamataBanerjee Paying tribute to the Martyrs of 21st July #ShahidDibas at Dharmatala, Bengal pic.twitter.com/OLMVyF7SlX

— Nilanjan Das (@NilanjanDasAITC) July 21, 2024

However, a source familiar with the matter noted that such decisions fall under the purview of the central government. “These matters are handled by the Union government. A state government has no authority on this issue, and such comments are misplaced,” the source said.

Banerjee also pledged to assist residents of West Bengal whose relatives may be stranded in Bangladesh due to the violence and to help Bangladeshi citizens in West Bengal facing difficulties in returning home. She urged the people of West Bengal to remain calm and not to be provoked by the situation in Bangladesh.

Supreme Court's decision

On Sunday, Bangladesh's Supreme Court overturned a high court order that had reinstated job quotas for the relatives of veterans from the 1971 war of liberation. The high court's June order had sparked the violent protests, mainly led by students. Despite the Supreme Court's decision, coordinators of the anti-job quota movement have vowed to continue their protests. They are demanding accountability for the student deaths during the demonstrations.