Stay put: Gujarat’s unis advise Bangladeshi students as tensions rise
There are about 90 international students in Ahmedabad — approximately 30 at GU and 60 at GTU
Updated: Aug 7th, 2024
Amid escalating political tension and violence in Bangladesh, Gujarat’s universities have advised their Bangladeshi students to shelter in place.
There are about 90 international students in Ahmedabad — approximately 30 at Gujarat University (GU) and 60 at Gujarat Technological University (GTU). They have been urged to remain in Ahmedabad for their safety, according to a set of guidelines issued on Aug 6.
Authorities at GU also held meetings with Bangladeshi students and released helpline numbers for those who might need assistance. Students have also been asked not to speak to the media.
Similar measures are being taken across other institutions as well. The Director of the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Vadodara’s Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), Prof (Dr) Dhanesh Patel held a meeting with the varsity’s 80 Bangladeshi students to address concerns over their safety. Narmada University has advised its sole Bangladeshi student to remain on campus, for their well-being.
Many other government and private universities across the state are home to Bangladeshi students; however, the Gujarat government has not released any specific guidelines for them.
According to an official at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), no instructions or guidelines have been given to the students yet. The ICCR facilitates student exchange between India and Bangladesh. Around 300 Bangladeshi students were expected to study in Gujarat universities this year. However, final admissions are yet to be confirmed, and the intensifying unrest in their home country has left their futures uncertain.
There are currently 19,000 Indians in Bangladesh, including 9,000 students, some possibly from Gujarat.
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