Bangladesh: Over 778 Indian Students Return To India (X image@bengalielonmusk)

Over 778 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh through various land transit points, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). As Dhaka is reeling under the violent clashes over the controversial job quota system, Indian missions in Bangladesh are keeping regular touch with the authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and students, the MEA said. More than 50 people have been killed in the protest that has started weeks ago.

“Thus far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports,” the ministry said in a statement.

The total number of Indian nationals in Bangladesh is estimated to be around 15,000, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Read also: What Is The Controversial New Quota System In Bangladesh?

The statement also read that in coordination with the local authorities, measures are being taken by the High Commission and the Assistant High Commissions to facilitate safe travel to the border crossing points along the India-Bangladesh international border.

As per the statement, the Indian High Commission and assistant high commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance. Students from Nepal and Bhutan have also been assisted with their crossing into India on request.

In Dhaka, the protests are happening against the quota in government jobs to the families of veterans of the country’s independence war in 1971. Students are demanding the scrapping of the quota system and demanding recruitment based on merit.

Read also: Bangladesh Protests: MEA Issues Advisory To Indian Nationals

The critics of the quota system say that it directly benefits PM Sheikh Hasina politically, who won her fourth straight term in January this year. Under the quota system, 30% of the government jobs are reserved for the relatives of war heroes, who fought for the country’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. A third of the posts are kept for the family members of those who are categorized as war heroes. However, some jobs are also reserved for women, ethnic minority groups, and disabled people.