‘As a Bangladeshi Student Protesting at SAU in Delhi, I Fear Deportation’

Producer: Varsha
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam and Mohd. Irshad Alam

I’m a Bangladeshi national, and I’m pursuing my PhD in Economics at South Asian University, in New Delhi. I could be deported if I continue to protest at my university.

We, the students of South Asain University, have been protesting since 13 October for various demands such as scholarship hikes and the extension time to complete the thesis for the COVID-affected batches.

We tried reaching out to the authorities to have a dialogue, but the administration retaliated. The students then decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike on 4 November.

Currently, two Indian students have been rusticated, two expelled, and one suspended from the university. The situation worsened when a student collapsed and was hospitalised on 22 November.

Our University Involved the Embassy

The administration sent letters to different embassies citing all the details of the international students. Our embassies have warned us that this might lead to possible deportation.

They warned us that if the university raises this issue to the high commission, the Ministry of External Affairs, then the respective embassy cannot stop the student from being deported.

This will also make the visa renewal process more difficult for us. The administration is also mentally harassing us by taking such steps. It has severe repercussions on our studies. 

Fear of Deportation, We're in Dilemma

As international students, we are in a dilemma now. We believe that, as students, we have all the right to stand for what we want.

But the fear of being under the radar of deportation has made many of us conscious about getting our degree from this institution. 

There is a sense of anxiety sweeping amongst the students. We don’t know what to do. The least we can do is sit peacefully with the administration, talk to them, and resolve the issue. 

(The Quint has reached out to South Asian University. Their Response is awaited. The story would be updated once a response is received.)

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