Srinagar: Anxiety and distress gripped several households across J&K as parents of Kashmiri students studying in Iran voiced serious concerns over the safety of their children amid rapidly escalating hostilities in the region.
Dozens of worried parents gathered in the Bemina area of Srinagar on Monday, making an emotional appeal to the Government of India for the urgent evacuation of students from Tehran and other affected regions.
The families described the situation as “volatile and unpredictable”, with fears intensifying due to reports of repeated strikes and growing instability.
“My daughter and son are there, but every student stuck in Iran feels like my own child,” said Sohael Muzzamil Qadri, his voice trembling with concern. “The situation is extremely grave. This is not something that will settle quickly—there is a sense that the conflict is deepening.”
Qadri added, “As soon as advisories were issued, I asked my daughter to prepare for departure and tried arranging travel via Dubai. But the university delayed the process, saying internal consultations were needed.”
Parents said they had initially planned to march towards the Press Colony to highlight their concerns, but were unable to proceed due to restrictions in parts of the city. They staged a peaceful protest, urging immediate government intervention.
“We are living in constant fear. Our children are in the heart of Tehran, where tensions are at their peak. Every moment feels uncertain,” said another parent. “We appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene and ensure the safe return of our children, where around 1100 Kashmiri students are trapped.”
Several parents alleged that although advisories had been issued urging Indian nationals to leave Iran, many students were unable to do so due to delays in receiving their original documents from universities.
“Our children were willing to leave immediately, but without essential documents, they are stranded. This delay is putting their lives at serious risk,” a parent said, calling for urgent diplomatic coordination to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) confirmed that Indian students enrolled in institutions such as Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Tehran University of Medical Sciences are being relocated to safer areas under the supervision of the Indian Embassy.
According to official communications shared with students, the relocation is a temporary precautionary measure aimed at ensuring immediate safety. Students have been instructed to carry only essential belongings in a small backpack and strictly adhere to guidelines issued by the university and embassy authorities.
Officials further said that students from major institutions in Tehran, including SBUMS, TUMS, and IUMS, have been directed to assemble early Tuesday for coordinated relocation to designated safe zones.
“The priority at this stage is the safety and security of all students. Further arrangements will be communicated in due course,” he said. (KNO)
