Fear Grips Indian Students in Bangladesh Amid Ongoing Unrest

Here is a rewritten version of the article in a neutral newsroom style:

Indian Medical Students in Bangladesh Face Safety Concerns Amid Rising Anti-India Sentiments

Faisal Khan, an Indian medical student at East West Medical College in Dhaka, has taken precautions to ensure his safety. Every evening around 8pm, he locks himself inside his small hostel room, listening carefully before opening the door for visitors. Outside the campus, he avoids crowded tea stalls and markets due to concerns about his accent.

Khan arrived in Bangladesh in April 2024 after failing to secure a government medical seat in India. Initially, Dhaka felt welcoming, but protests erupted against then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in July 2024, changing Khan’s routine. The college advised him and other Indian students to remain within the campus premises.

Over 9,000 Indian medical students are currently enrolled in Bangladeshi colleges, with many feeling vulnerable due to rising anti-India sentiments. In November, a tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for killings carried out by her security forces in 2024. Despite repeated requests from the interim government, India has not agreed to send Hasina back.

A recent incident involving an Indian student at East West Medical College has sent shockwaves through the community. The attackers snatched the student’s mobile phone and wallet, and the incident was recorded on a security camera. The video spread rapidly across social media, triggering panic and fear among Indian students.

Vaibhav, another Indian medical student, expressed concerns about his safety. He rarely steps outside, avoids local markets and common spaces, and is cautious while speaking to patients. “I think twice before saying anything in public now,” he said. “Every night, we go to sleep unsure of what the next day might bring.”

The situation has left many Indian students feeling trapped and uncertain about their future. With over two million Indian students applying for fewer than 60,000 seats in government-run medical colleges in India each year, Khan’s concerns are shared by many.

Source: Al Jazeera