Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 6 (ANI): Amid the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh, Banaras Hindu University Dean of Students, Prof Anupam Kumar Nema said that almost 200 Bangladeshi students are studying in different departments of the university and proper steps are being taken to ensure their safety.
Nema said that some students who have completed their degrees but are here in India are also being given a proper place to stay.
“Almost 200 students (Bangladeshi) are studying in different departments. They are staying in the international boys and girls hostel. Proper steps are being taken to ensure their safety…Some students are scared and they want to go home. But as the situation in Bangladesh is not normal we are doing their counselling,” he said.
“Some students who have completed their degrees but are here in India due to some work are being given a proper place to stay. They are also being provided food in the mess…84 boys (Bangladeshi) and 42 girls (Bangladeshi) are staying in international boys’ and girls’ hostels respectively. Almost 700 international students are studying in different departments in the university,” Nema added.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals of which about 9000 are students while ensuring the country that the government is in close contact with the Indian community in Dhaka.
“We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there of which about 9000 are students. The bulk of the students returned in July,” he said.
He also said that Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested approval from India to come at very short notice and she arrived on the evening of Monday.
Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, on August 5, tendering her resignation from her post in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, led majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests.
Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening and it is not clear if she will stay in Delhi or move to another location.
Meanwhile, the External Affairs Minister also mentioned that the government is monitoring the situation with regard to the minorities living in Bangladesh.
Despite the Supreme Court judgement on July 21, there was no letup in protests, the Union minister said.
“Various decisions and actions taken thereafter only exacerbated the situation. The agitation at this stage coalesced around a one-point agenda, that is that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should step down,” Jaishankar said.
On August 4 the situation in the neighbouring country turned serious, Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha.
“Attacks on police, including police stations and government installations, intensified even as overall levels of violence greatly escalated. Properties of individuals associated with the regime were torched across the country. What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations. The full extent of this is still not clear,” Jaishankar said.
The EAM informed the House that the situation in Bangladesh “is still evolving.”
“Our border guarding forces have been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation. In the last 24 hours, we have been in touch with authorities in Dhaka,” the foreign minister said.
Jaishankar said, “In the last 24 hours, we have also been in regular touch with the authorities in Dhaka. This is the situation as of now”.
“The Union Minister said that he “seeks the understanding and support of the House in regard to sensitive issues regarding an important neighbour on which there has always been strong national consensus.” (ANI)
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