Upon landing in Dhaka, the flight quickly boarded the passengers, who were primarily Indian nationals, and returned to New Delhi early Wednesday morning. The flight was arranged at short notice in response to the escalating violence and instability following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The crisis has led to widespread protests and violent clashes, particularly targeting minority communities and causing significant disruptions.
The political unrest began with student protests over a controversial civil service job quota system, which reserved a significant portion of government jobs for veterans' families. These protests intensified, leading to Hasina's resignation and her subsequent departure from Bangladesh. The situation has since deteriorated, with violent incidents, including attacks on Hindu communities and other minority groups, as well as the burning of a hotel in Jashore, which resulted in multiple fatalities.
Air India, along with other airlines such as Vistara and IndiGo, had initially canceled flights to Dhaka due to the unrest but have now resumed operations. Air India announced it would operate two daily flights between New Delhi and Dhaka starting Wednesday, offering a one-time waiver for passengers needing to reschedule due to the crisis. Vistara and IndiGo also plan to resume their regular services, with Vistara operating flights from Mumbai and Delhi, and IndiGo flying from multiple Indian cities to Dhaka.
The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation, with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar emphasizing the prioritization of the safety of Indian nationals and Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The government is in constant communication with the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the security and safe evacuation of affected individuals.
This evacuation underscores the heightened tensions and challenges faced by both the Indian government and the airline industry in responding to sudden geopolitical crises and ensuring the safety of their citizens abroad.
Sources:
- Business Standard
- NewsBytes