Kashmiri Students In Iran Must Heed CM’s Call To Return

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s urgent appeal to Kashmiri students and workers in Iran to return home immediately is a lifeline thrown at a critical moment. His words, a genuine concern and backed by the Ministry of External Affairs’ advisory, carry the weight of responsibility and careful thinking. He rightly said that if the situation worsens, evacuation may become difficult. We are aware of how fast geopolitical crises can spiral out of control, shutting down borders and airspace without any warning. The situation in Iran is clearly dangerous. With rising tensions between the US and Iran, ongoing protests, and a major American military presence building up in the region, the chance to leave safely through regular flights may suddenly disappear. The Indian Embassy’s advisory asking all Indian citizens to leave using whatever flights are available leaves no room for doubt. Yet the painful dilemma facing nearly 2,000 Kashmiri students, most of them studying medicine, is real and heartbreaking. Their exams, including important government-required tests like the basic sciences examination scheduled for March 5, stand between them and years of hard academic work. Missing these exams could delay their graduation by six months, upset their career plans, and cause huge financial and emotional loss. This is where the government’s role must go beyond just giving advice to actively helping. The All India Medical Students Association has rightly appealed to Prime Minister Modi for diplomatic help to talk with Iranian universities about postponing exams or making alternative arrangements. This is a fair and urgent demand. Students are not asking to be rescued from a war zone—at least not yet. They are asking that India use its diplomatic strength to ensure that choosing safety does not mean throwing away their academic futures. However, the students must realise that their lives are more important than any exam. No degree is worth the risk of being trapped in a place where conflict could break out at any time. Still, the government must meet them halfway by urgently talking with Iranian authorities to get academic adjustments. Let no Kashmiri student ever feel they have to choose between their safety and their dreams.