Afghan students in India express concerns over Taliban take over

Several Afghanistan students studying in various universities pan India, under student exchange programmes have expressed shock over the recent developments in their country. The Taliban took control of Kabul amid minimal resistance as President Ashraf Ghani fled the country causing the government to collapse and thousands of people to flee.

New Delhi: Several Afghanistan students studying in various universities pan India, under student exchange programmes have expressed shock over the recent developments in their country. They are worried about their families and have also sought the Indian government to extend their visas. ETV Bharat interacted with some students studying in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University in the national capital and Andhra University in Vizag. More than 50 students from Afghanistan are studying in Delhi University, and especially this year many students from Afghanistan had registered to study in the University.

"My visa is expiring next month and I hope the Indian government will extend my visa validity. Else, I would be forced to leave my studies midway and leave for Afghanistan," said Jalaluddin, a student of JNU, adding that a large number of students who are residents of Afghanistan are now worried about their visas.

Around 130 students studying in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, also have expressed deep shock over Taliban taking over the war-torn nation. Some of the students speaking to ETV Bharat said that the United Nations need to intervene and ensure security to the people of Afghanistan.

Andhra University has many students hailing from Afghanistan and Ethiopian students who are pursuing their degrees in Arts, Sciences, Engineering and Fine Arts under student exchange programme and International relations. Over 150 members get admitted newly every year in various departments of the university, with most of them being from Afghanistan. At present there are 130 Afghan Students including both men and women who are pursuing their studies.

Speaking about the situation in Afghanistan, one of the students, Abidulla Abid said," Now the condition of Afghanistan is completely full of fear. We don't know what will happen now or about the future. Somebody has to come in and take over the Presidential office, either temporarily or permanently. But as of now, the situation is tense. People are facing problems and we fear insecurity. The future of the people, new generation, students, human rights and women rights is in trouble following Taliban take over and people are suffering. We as young Afghan citizens are requesting the international community to look at the condition of Afghanistan, especially we urge the United Nations to intervene as they are a responsible body. Afghans are also humans and we look forward to have good lives."

"Physically we are here (Vizag), but mentally we are with our families and in our country. The situation has got worse, we were not expecting such a situation in Afghanistan, but it happens, and we hope that peace is restored in our country. I hope everything ends in a right manner. We expect the global community to involve, especially the United Nations," Rahimi Rahim, another Afghan student said.

Professor E.N.Dhanamjaya Rao, Professor of Geology & Dean International affairs at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam said," A major chunk of students are from Afghanistan and Ethiopia. This year we have around 130 students including 25 girls from Afghanistan who are pursuing their studies. Many of them are studying B.Tech, B.Pharmacy, Engineering and Ph.D. Many of the students who had earned their degrees had earlier gone back and have settled back in Afghanistan. We also have enjoyed good relations with Afghanistan for around two decades now."