Stranded amid unrest in Iran: MEA intervention sought for Indian medical students over passport withholding, forced exams, security fears

Srinagar: Pointing out how the Indian medical students in Iran are stranded amid the ongoing unrest and anti-government protests in Iran, a medical students' body has sought the urgent intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Writing to the MEA, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, which is a pan-India representative body of students from Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, requested the MEA's intervention regarding the stranded Indian students in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, passport withholding, academic coercion, and growing uncertainty.

Highlighting the grave concerns regarding the increasingly precarious situation being faced by Indian students currently pursuing medical education in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the association mentioned how the matter has assumed urgency in light of both institutional failures at the university level and the rapidly deteriorating regional security environment, which together have left Indian students anxious, stranded, and vulnerable.

The association pointed out how the Indian students at the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences are suffering and mentioned in the letter, "Indian students presently stranded in Iran have informed our Association Iran Chapter Coordinator that the continued closure of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, coupled with the persistent failure of the university authorities to return students' passports, has left many Indian students effectively immobilised and unable to return home despite their willingness to do so. This prolonged withholding of passports has caused acute psychological distress and uncertainty, not only for the students themselves but also for their families in India, who are closely following the evolving security situation with deep anxiety. Students have repeatedly conveyed that despite multiple representations and assurances, the university authorities have failed to act with urgency or sensitivity,"

"For several days now, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences has been avoiding responsibility and delaying the return of students' passports, forcing students to remain stranded against their will. This careless and indifferent handling of a serious humanitarian concern has compelled students to suffer continuously in an atmosphere of fear and helplessness. Such institutional negligence, particularly during a period marked by instability and crisis, is unacceptable and has significantly aggravated the vulnerability of Indian students in frail.

"The seriousness of this situation must be viewed against the backdrop of the rapidly escalating regional and geopolitical tensions that have been widely reported across Indian and international media platforms. Recent developments involving the movement of US warships towards the region, public warnings by senior Iranian officials that any attack would be treated as an "all-out war," internal unrest, communication disruptions, heightened military preparedness, and sharp rhetoric between global powers have created an environment of uncertainty and unpredictability. While official statements may seek to convey preparedness or control, the fluidity of the situation and the possibility of sudden escalation cannot be discounted, especially from the perspective of Foreign/Indian nationals residing in the country," it added.

According to the association the Indian students, majority of whom are from Kashmir, have informed that Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences are continuing with the scheduled semester examinations even amidst such a climate of uncertainty and crisis.

"This is in stark contrast to the approach adopted by a majority of other universities across Iran, which have postponed their academic activities and semester examinations until at least 24 March, acknowledging the prevailing instability and extraordinary circumstances. Requiring foreign students; many of whom are under intense mental stress, facing mobility restrictions due to passport withholding, and living with constant fear of sudden escalation to appear for examinations under such conditions is neither reasonable nor humane. This rigid academic stance has compounded students' distress and has placed them in an impossible position, forcing them to choose between academic coercion and personal safety," the association mentioned.

"Taken together, the withholding of passports, the absence of institutional accountability, the insistence on conducting examinations amid crisis, and the broader regional instability have created a situation where Indian students feel abandoned, exposed, and deeply insecure. The inability to leave the country despite clear intent, combined with academic pressure and geopolitical uncertainty, has pushed students into a state of severe emotional and psychological strain," it further added.

Highlighting this, the association has earnestly sought the immediate and proactive intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with the concerned Iranian authorities and university administrations, including Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Iran University of Medical Sciences, so that Indian students' passports are returned without any further delay and their freedom of movement is restored.