Srinagar, Jan 15: Parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran on Wednesday appealed to the Central government to urgently evacuate their children amid escalating tensions and deteriorating security conditions in the country.
Scores of anxious parents gathered at the Press Enclave in Srinagar, urging immediate intervention from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, and the Lieutenant Governor.
“We appeal to the Prime Minister, the External Affairs Minister, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Lieutenant Governor to bring our children back from Iran,” a parent told reporters.
The parents recalled previous evacuation efforts carried out successfully by the government in crisis-hit countries such as Ukraine and Iran. “We are confident in the government’s capability. The Centre has helped students in the past, and we trust it will not allow the situation to worsen or put our children at risk,” another parent said.
Several parents claimed that the Indian Embassy in Tehran has advised students to arrange their departure independently. “The embassy has asked students to contact their parents and manage travel on their own. Communication itself is extremely difficult, and we urge both the Union Territory and Central authorities to step in and facilitate evacuation,” one of them said.
In a recent advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged all Indian nationals—including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists—to leave Iran using available means of transport, including commercial flights.
According to estimates, over 10,000 Indians, including a large number of students, are currently residing in Iran.
Expressing distress, another parent said, “We are extremely worried. The government must act immediately, just as it did in previous evacuations.”
A mother of one of the students highlighted the practical difficulties faced by families due to an internet shutdown in Iran. “Even if we book tickets, we cannot send the details to our children because of the internet blockade. It is almost impossible for them to manage on their own. They should be evacuated at the earliest,” she said.
Iran has been witnessing widespread protests since late last month after its currency, the rial, plunged to record lows. What began as demonstrations over economic hardship have spread to all 31 provinces, evolving into broader demands for political change.
The situation has further worsened in recent days, with the death toll from nationwide protests crossing 2,500, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
