Due to the ongoing violent protests in Bangladesh concerning the quota system in government jobs, the Indian Railways has canceled two important train services between India and Bangladesh. The Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express scheduled for Saturday and the Bandhan Express running between Kolkata and Khulna on Sunday have both been canceled due to what the authorities termed as "unavoidable circumstances".
The protests in Bangladesh have led to significant disruptions, including the closure of all public and private educational institutions indefinitely. This unrest has arisen from dissatisfaction with the quota system implemented by the government, which reserves a notable portion of government jobs for specific groups. Protesters argue that this system is discriminatory and prevents more qualified candidates from securing employment.
The situation escalated following a court decision last month that initially invalidated the quota system, prompting demonstrations across the country, particularly by student groups. Over 115 people have reportedly died in clashes between protesters, police, and pro-government activists.
In response to the unrest, over 1,000 Indian students studying in Bangladesh have returned to India for safety reasons. Approximately 778 students crossed back through various land ports, while around 200 students utilized regular flight services from Dhaka and Chittagong airports.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been actively involved, providing support to Indian students remaining in Bangladesh. They have issued advisories urging Indian nationals to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay indoors until the situation stabilizes. The MEA continues to monitor the situation closely through the High Commission of India in Dhaka and Assistant High Commissions across Bangladesh.
