Mehbooba Mufti Seeks Centre’s Intervention for Safe Return of Students Stranded in Iran
PDP chief appeals to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar amid unrest in Iran affecting over 10,000 Indians, including Kashmiri students
Srinagar, Jan 15: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday called on the Union government to take urgent steps to ensure the safe return of Indian students, including those from Kashmir, stranded in Iran amid growing unrest.
The appeal follows concerns raised by parents of several Kashmiri students studying in Iran, who have sought government intervention to bring their children home safely.
“Thousands of students from across India, including Kashmir, are stranded in Iran amid the current volatile situation. This has caused immense fear and anxiety among parents desperately worried for their children’s safety. I urge External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene immediately and ensure their safe return,” Mehbooba tweeted.
Estimates suggest that over 10,000 Indian nationals, including students, currently reside in Iran. The Indian embassy in Tehran has issued a fresh advisory urging all Indians students, pilgrims, business persons, and tourists to leave the country by available means of transport, including commercial flights.
The unrest began late last month in Tehran following a sharp fall of the Iranian rial and has now spread across all 31 provinces. What started as protests over economic hardships has escalated into calls for political change. Recent reports by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) indicate that the nationwide protests have claimed over 2,500 lives in the past few days.
