UK anti-immigrant protests raise alarm for Indian students

Indian students in the UK and those arriving this year are worried by a sharp escalation in anti-immigrant protests in the island nation, engulfed in one of the worst riots in 13 years.

The UK is currently home to an estimated over 180,000 Indian students, making it one of the top five overseas destinations. The others are Canada, the US, Australia and Germany.

India on Tuesday issued a travel advisory for its citizens traveling to the UK, urging them to exercise caution following a wave of violent protests in several British cities.

Study abroad platforms like Leverage.biz, Collegify, iSchoolConnect, and AECC Global have been busy attending to panic calls and queries about the unfolding scenario in the UK since last week. 

These are not only from existing Indian students in the UK, but also from the fresh cohort slated to begin studies this year. Students typically join colleges in August and September.

“We are hearing of people going under house arrest. Students who are about to leave are contemplating,” said Adarsh Khandelwal, promoter at Collegify.

"Many students are seeking deferral from their respective colleges. While this should settle down in due course, parents do not want to compromise on safety,” he said.

Akshay Chaturvedi, founder of Leverage.biz noted a flood of calls from anxious parents in the last few days.

Executives said parents are concerned about their wards inadvertently getting embroiled in the protests and that most of the study-abroad platforms have issued advisories on the current scenario in the UK.

“We have already sent an advisory to all our students currently in the UK to avoid traveling to areas of conflict, just like the local police have,” said Chaturvedi. “Main concerns included queries around areas of conflict, and what measures are underway.”

A student from New Delhi currently studying in London’s King's College said her parents back home are anxious. “I am trying to reassure them,” she said, asking not to be named.

Those who already have children studying in the UK are calling up multiple times to inquire about their wellbeing. 

One parent whose child is studying in Manchester said, “The news is terrifying, and I feel helpless being so far away.”

Several students using the Collegify platform for fulfilling their study abroad dreams told ET they are now apprehensive of leaving for the UK.

Some are also exploring alternative countries including staying back in India, Khandelwal said.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/uk-anti-immigrant-protests-raise-alarm-for-indian-students/articleshow/112325619.cms