News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/27th August 2024
A Bangladeshi student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar, in Assam has been returned to her home country following her reaction to a social media post deemed anti-India. The student, Maisha Mahajabin, who was in her fourth semester in the Electronics and Communication department, faced this action after showing support for a controversial post with a ‘love’ emoji.
According to Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta, this decision was not technically a deportation but was carried out in coordination with Bangladeshi officials. Mahatta clarified that Mahajabin was sent back on Monday through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sutarkandi in the Karimganj district. This action came after Mahajabin’s online interaction with a post from Sahadat Hussain Alfi, a former NIT Silchar student who had left India about six months ago and now resides in Bangladesh.
Mahatta emphasized that the reaction of Mahajabin, a ‘love’ emoji on the anti-India post, sparked considerable displeasure among many individuals. This reaction led to an outcry, prompting authorities to address the situation. Although Mahajabin had requested to return to Bangladesh, the decision was influenced by the concerns raised by various stakeholders about the nature of her online engagement.
The Cachar Superintendent of Police further noted that the status of Mahajabin’s academic future remains uncertain. She has not yet completed her studies, and it is unclear whether she will be allowed to return to finish her course. Currently, NIT Silchar hosts about 70 Bangladeshi students, including around 40 Hindu students, as part of the agreement between Indian and Bangladeshi governments.
Suvasish Choudhury, a spokesperson for the Hindu Rakkhi Dal, reported that their organization had observed the anti-India sentiment expressed by former student Sahadat Hussain Alfi and subsequently alerted the police. Choudhury mentioned that the problematic posts, originating from the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh, were reported to the authorities due to their inflammatory content.
In response to the incident, Superintendent Mahatta had personally advised the Bangladeshi students at NIT Silchar to refrain from engaging in any activities that could be perceived as anti-India. The situation underscores the sensitivity surrounding international student interactions and the broader implications of their online activities.
