NEW DELHI: Parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran on Wednesday appealed to the Centre to facilitate the safe return of their children amid escalating tensions in the country. Scores of anxious parents gathered at the Press Enclave, urging the government to intervene. Official estimates indicate that more than 10,000 Indians, including students, are currently residing in Iran.
“We appeal to the prime minister, the external affairs minister, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and the lieutenant governor to evacuate the students from Iran,” a parent told reporters, as cited by PTI. Thanking the Centre for its earlier support to students, he expressed hope that authorities would act swiftly to ensure the children’s safety and facilitate their return before the situation worsens.The parents claimed that the students were instructed by the Indian Embassy in Tehran to leave the country by themselves.“They are asking the students to contact their parents and arrange their travel independently. We can connect to our children through ISD calls, but with great difficulty, and we urge the authorities at both the Union Territory and the Centre to help facilitate their evacuation,” the parent added. The mother of one student highlighted the challenges parents are facing in arranging travel due to an internet shutdown in Iran. “I urge the government to remove the students from there. Even if we book tickets for them, we cannot send them because of the internet blockade. It is nearly impossible for them. They should be evacuated as soon as possible,” she said, as cited by PTI. In a new advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged all Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims, business travelers, and tourists, to leave Iran using any available means of transport, including commercial flights.“In continuation of the advisory issued by the Government of India on 5 January 2025, and in view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights,” the advisory read. Indian nationals have also been advised to keep their travel and identification documents, including passports, easily accessible and to contact the embassy for assistance if needed.The embassy has activated emergency helplines, provided multiple contact numbers, and an official email for consular support. Those not yet registered with the embassy are urged to do so via the ministry of external affairs’ online portal, with families in India asked to register on their behalf if internet access in Iran is limited.Meanwhile, Iran on Thursday closed its airspace amid threats from US President Donald Trump over the government’s crackdown on protests that have swept the country for the past two weeks. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, the demonstrations have left more than 2,500 people dead, including over 100 security personnel and thirteen children. In addition, more than 18,400 people have been detained.
