Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil raised concerns about a growing number of incidents involving harassment, attacks and difficulties faced by Indian students in Russia. He urged the government to treat such incidents with seriousness and take stronger steps to ensure the protection and welfare of Indians studying and working in foreign countries.
Gohil said that whenever an Indian citizen is harassed, attacked or mistreated anywhere in the world, it should not be seen merely as an attack on an individual but as an affront to the dignity and honour of the entire nation. Such incidents, he said, damage the country’s reputation and therefore require firm diplomatic and administrative attention.
He pointed out that Indian students travel to nearly 196 countries around the world to pursue higher education, making them one of the largest international student communities globally. With such a large presence overseas, ensuring their safety and well-being must remain a priority for the government.
Referring to a recent incident in Russia, Gohil said that Indian students were reportedly attacked with knives, leaving four of them seriously injured. The All India Medical Students’ Association has registered a complaint regarding the incident and expressed concern over the safety of Indian students studying there.
It must be noted that Russia hosts a significant number of Indian students. According to government data, more than 27,000 Indian students are currently enrolled in Russian universities, with the majority pursuing medical education. Russia has become a popular destination for Indian students seeking MBBS degrees because the cost of medical education there is considerably lower compared to private medical colleges in India.
Gohil further said that official data from the Ministry of External Affairs indicates that in 2025 at least 350 Indian students studying abroad faced various kinds of difficulties, including harassment and safety-related problems. These complaints have been formally reported to the ministry. Out of these 350 cases, nearly 200 complaints were reported from Russia alone, raising concerns about the conditions faced by Indian students there. He questioned why the situation appeared to be deteriorating and called for a closer examination of the issue.
Speaking about the broader context, Gohil highlighted how the increasing privatization of education in India has made higher education extremely expensive for many families. As a result, a growing number of students are opting to pursue professional courses such as MBBS in foreign countries where the overall cost of education can often be significantly lower. He urged the government to take steps to reduce the cost of education in India so that students are not compelled to seek affordable options abroad.
He also stressed that the government must remain concerned about the welfare and safety of all Indian citizens, regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations. Referring to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Gohil noted that several countries are actively arranging facilities and assistance for their citizens who may be affected by the situation.
However, he said that similar support has not yet been adequately extended in certain cases involving Indians. While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Gohil referred to a phone conversation he had with Amiben Shah, a resident of Chhota Udepur district in Gujarat. According to him, members of her family are currently stranded in Bahrain and are facing serious difficulties. He said that even basic assistance from the government, such as ensuring access to clean drinking water, would provide relief to people trapped in such circumstances.
Gohil also raised concerns about airlines operating from cities such as Dubai and other international hubs, alleging that some airlines are charging excessively high fares for return tickets to India during the crisis. According to him, passengers are being forced to pay extremely inflated prices to travel back home, effectively exploiting the situation.
He urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of Indian students and citizens abroad, provide necessary assistance during international crises and address the issue of high travel costs so that stranded Indians can return home without facing additional financial hardship.
Also Read: Canada Dream Over: Visa Restrictions, Employment Crises, Unmanageable Rents force Indian Students To Return Home https://www.vibesofindia.com/canada-dream-over-visa-restrictions-employment-crises-unmanageable-rents-force-indian-students-to-return-home/
