Concerns have been expressed by Asaduddin Owaisi, speaking on behalf of the AIMIM, about the purported targeting of Indian students in Kyrgyzstan. After consulates advised Indian and Pakistani students to stay indoors due to possible mob violence, he has called on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene.
Owaisi brought attention to allegations of violent harassment of Indian students by some Kyrgyzstani residents by using the social media platform X. He sent along a disturbing note from a student who claimed that because of the stressful situation, they had gone five days without eating. Furthermore, Owaisi posted a video that allegedly showed an Indian student in Kyrgyzstan phoning the consulate to ask questions regarding evacuation protocols.
When the student calls to inquire about the likelihood of evacuation for Indians, the consulate representative says that students have already been given instructions and answers in the positive.
Owaisi expressed his concern and asked Jaishankar to act decisively to protect Indian nationals in Kyrgyzstan. He further emphasized the need to make plans to enable their return should circumstances not change.
Following a fight between foreign students and locals on May 13 that was viewed as an act of hostility, tensions in Kyrgyzstan intensified. Then there were rumors of mob violence against Pakistani and Indian students. The Indian government encouraged students to stay indoors until the situation calmed down, even though there were no reports of casualties among them.
In a different statement posted on social media site X, Jaishankar reassured the public that Bishkek’s Indian students’ well-being is being attentively watched, and there are signs that things are currently quiet.
