Owaisi Urges Govt to Launch Evacuation Plan for Indian Students Stranded in Iran Amid Internet Blackout
HYDERABAD, TELANGANA — AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has issued a formal appeal to the Government of India, requesting an immediate evacuation plan for hundreds of Indian students currently stranded in Iran. The request comes as Iran faces a severe internal security crisis, marked by nationwide protests and a total communication blackout that has left families in India in a state of panic.
High-Stakes Crisis at Shahid Beheshti University
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Owaisi highlighted the specific plight of students at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. According to the AIMIM chief, approximately 70 to 80 Indian students are currently enrolled at the institution, including at least five to eight from Hyderabad.
Owaisi revealed that he has been receiving “distress calls” from parents who are unable to reach their children due to the ongoing internet shutdown in Iran.
“My urgent request to the GoI and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar is that there are hundreds of students studying in Iran. Their parents are in huge pain and becoming very emotional because they are not able to speak to their children,” Owaisi stated.
Financial Hurdles and Passport Retention
The Hyderabad MP pointed out three critical barriers preventing students from returning home independently, despite the Indian Embassy’s advisory to leave the country:
-
Communication Blackout: With the internet down, students cannot coordinate travel or receive digital funds.
-
Financial Constraints: Many students come from humble backgrounds and lack the “financial wherewithal” to purchase expensive emergency airfare.
-
Documentation Issues: Owaisi alleged that Shahid Beheshti University is currently withholding students’ passports, effectively preventing them from leaving the country or returning to India.
MEA and Indian Embassy Response
The situation in Iran has deteriorated rapidly in January 2026, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently upgrading its travel advisory to “strongly avoid” all travel to the Islamic Republic. On January 14, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged all Indian nationals—including students, pilgrims, and tourists—to leave Iran via available commercial flights.
However, Owaisi argues that a “self-evacuation” model is not feasible for many. He noted that while EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar has maintained contact with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, “ground-level action” in the form of a government-led evacuation is now a necessity.
Nationwide Concern for Students
The demand for a formal evacuation plan follows similar appeals from other regional leaders, including PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who flagged the safety of thousands of students from Jammu and Kashmir. Current estimates suggest there are over 10,000 Indian nationals in Iran, a significant portion of whom are medical students.
As the security situation remains fluid, parents across India are calling for a dedicated control room and a coordinated airlift, similar to past operations, to ensure the safe return of their children.
Related News
Iran Protests 2026: Death Toll Hits 116 as “Enemy of God” Death Penalty Warning Issued
‘Patriotism Cannot Be Forced’: Owaisi Slams Vande Mataram Push in Heated Parliament Debate
Rahul Gandhi Urges Govt-Opposition Unity for National Air Pollution Plan
