Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 3: Even as Indian students studying in Iran were safely relocated from Tehran to Qom as a precautionary measure, anxious parents across Jammu and Kashmir continue to demand their immediate evacuation, citing safety concerns amid escalating tensions.
The relocation was carried out in coordination with the Embassy of India in Tehran to ensure the safety and well-being of the students. The students were transported in well-arranged buses and have safely reached Qom, where temporary arrangements have been put in place.
Authorities said continuous communication is being maintained with students to monitor their situation closely.
Despite moving them to Qom, parents in Kashmir said the relocation offers only partial relief and does not address the larger concern of bringing their children back home.
“We are thankful that our children have been moved to a safer place, but this is not enough. They are still in Iran, and the situation remains unpredictable,” a parent from Srinagar said. “We want the Government of India to evacuate them at the earliest.”
The concerns come against the backdrop of rising hostilities in the region, which have triggered widespread anxiety among families. A day earlier, dozens of parents had gathered in Srinagar, appealing for urgent intervention by the central government to ensure the safe return of students.
Families described the situation in Tehran as “volatile”, with fears compounded by delays in documentation and travel arrangements that prevented many students from leaving despite advisories.
Meanwhile, student bodies, including the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), confirmed that Indian students from major universities in Tehran have been shifted under embassy supervision as part of temporary safety measures.
Officials reiterated that the priority remains the safety and security of all students, and further decisions regarding evacuation or additional relocation will be communicated in due course.
However, for many families in Jammu and Kashmir, the wait continues with uncertainty, as they urge swift and decisive action to bring their children back home safely.
