In the heart of Dhaka, thousands of Indian medical aspirants are navigating a nightmare fueled by Bangladesh’s political upheaval. Once drawn by low-cost, quality MBBS programs—far cheaper than India’s private institutions—these 9,000-plus students now grapple with fear as anti-India rhetoric boils over.
The tipping point arrived last August with massive student protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Peace shattered, replaced by incidents like the brazen December robbery of an Indian student, footage of which went viral and amplified campus paranoia. ‘We speak softly, avoid crowds, and stay alert 24/7,’ shared affected students, describing a life mimicking lockdown.
Expert M.A. Hussain warns of escalating risks as elections approach. While Yunus’s interim administration touts controlled crime stats, psychological tolls mount. Hindu Indian students face amplified dangers amid minority attacks, dismissed as political by authorities but felt acutely in exam halls and streets.
These students contribute immensely—through fees, cultural bridges, and collaborations. Yet, political winds threaten it all. Degrees delay, mental health strains, and families back home panic. Indian embassies issue advisories, but extraction remains complex. Bangladesh’s medical education sector, reliant on Indian enrollment, risks long-term damage.
As unrest persists, the narrative shifts from opportunity to peril. What begins as a quest for affordable healing now tests survival amid chaos, prompting urgent questions about safety in cross-border education.
