Over 100 from Karnataka’s Alipur village stranded in Iran
Chikkaballapur (Karnataka), Jun 17 (PTI): Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, several Indian nationals remain stranded in Iran. Among them, over 100 people hail from Alipur, a predominantly Shia Muslim village in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka.
They include students, families, and working professionals who had travelled to Iran for education, business, and religious pursuits.
Indian authorities, along with the embassy in Tehran and local state officials in Karnataka, are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating safe arrangements for those stuck in the region.
Alipur is a village of around 25,000 people, with a voter base of 8,000 to 8,500, according to the latest electoral roll.
While there is also a Hindu population, about 90 per cent of the residents are Muslims, predominantly from the Shia community.
The village is known for its deep religious and cultural ties with Iran, making it a common destination for theological and medical studies.
"Some people from our Alipur are currently in Iran as students," said Maulana Syed Mohammad Yousha Abedi, Imam of Masjid-e-Jafaria in Alipur.
"In Qom, there are around 50 people, and about 15 students are pursuing MBBS in Tehran. Another 25 to 30 people are involved in business in cities like Qom and Mashhad. In total, around 100 people from Alipur, including families and children are currently in Iran," Abedi said.
Following the recent Israeli airstrikes, most residents from Alipur who were in various Iranian cities have been moved to safer areas.
"The Indian Embassy has been in touch and has helped shift many of them from Tehran to Qom," the Imam added.
"They are in constant communication with the authorities, and we are hopeful that everyone will return safely," said Syed Abu Tahir, father of Habibe Zehra, a BDS student in Iran.
"My daughter has been studying BDS there since 2024 and is staying in a girls’ dormitory. Everything is good there, but given the current situation, we are scared. We have already informed the local authorities, and an official from Vikasa Soudha (Karnataka State Secretariat) has also reached out to us. They are supporting us through this situation," Tahir said.
Saqlane Abbas, a native of Alipur, had returned to India 20 days ago for his son’s college admission in Bengaluru. His wife and two children, however, remain in Iran.
"My wife is stuck in Iran. Many people from Karnataka, including students, are stranded there. For now, the situation is normal. All the shops are open and functioning. However, given the current circumstances, things could worsen. The Indian Embassy is working to bring all Indians closer to the borders and ensure their safe return home," he said.
Several families from the village are anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones. Mir Zahid Raza, father of Mir Nazar Abbas, confirmed that four of his family members — including a four-year-old and a 13-year-old — are still in Iran. "They’re safe, but we are worried," he said.
Tafseel Zehra, whose brother and his family have lived in Iran for over eight years, told PTI, "The government has assured us they’ll bring them back safely. We have full faith in our government."
Students stuck in Iran also confirmed that they are being moved to safer locations. Most have been shifted out of Tehran and are now waiting to return to India.
"We’re in touch with the Indian Embassy and hope to return soon," a student told PTI over phone.
Shafeeq Abidi, a well-known Urdu poet and former journalist from Alipur, highlighted the historical and religious connection between the village and Iran.
"Alipur shares a religious bond with Iran — nearly 90 per cent of our population is Shia Muslim, and Iran is a Shia-majority country. Many of our children go there to study Islamic theology and some pursue MBBS because it’s more affordable. Iran offers religious freedom and education," he explained.
Alipur has around 25,000 people, including some Hindu families, but the majority is Shia Muslims, Abidi said, adding there are about 8,000 to 8,500 voters here.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Jafaria, the community body in Alipur, has submitted full details of those stranded to local authorities and the Indian Embassy. Police and officials from the Karnataka government are also extending support to affected families.
As of now, most people from Alipur stranded in Iran are reported to be safe, and their families are hopeful that with the government’s intervention, they will be brought back soon.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CBCI urges Prime Minister Modi to condemn attacks on Christians, bring fringe groups under control
Bengaluru: Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly condemn attacks on Christians and take firm steps to protect the rights of religious minorities, saying it is the constitutional duty of the government to do so.
Addressing a press conference a day ahead of the CBCI’s 37th General Body Meeting in Bengaluru, Archbishop Thazhath said the Church has consistently approached government authorities whenever incidents of violence occur, but has never resorted to counter-attacks. “Protecting the rights of minorities and Christians is the duty of the government. Whenever we raise these issues, authorities often describe the perpetrators as fringe groups. If they are fringe groups, they must be condemned and brought under control,” he said.
The CBCI president said he had personally raised the issue with Prime Minister Modi on multiple occasions, including during the Prime Minister’s recent participation in Christmas celebrations. He expressed concern over attacks targeting Christians on the basis of religion, stressing that the Church does not view the issue through a political lens. “We are not political people. There have been attacks on Christians purely on the basis of religion, and we are afraid of this trend. We want the Prime Minister to take necessary precautions and clearly condemn such acts,” he said.
Archbishop Thazhath reiterated that the Christian response to violence is guided by faith and non-violence. “Our methodology is not to counter-attack because Jesus has taught us to love all, even our enemies,” he said. He also highlighted the Christian community’s long-standing contribution to nation-building. “Christians have contributed to this country and will continue to do so. Yet, religious discrimination and attacks continue to take place in some parts of the country, which causes fear,” he added.
His remarks come weeks after a pastor, Bipin Bihari Naik, was allegedly assaulted by Bajrang Dal workers in Odisha, where he was reportedly forced to eat cow dung and chant religious slogans. Without referring to specific cases, the Archbishop said attacks on Christians occur in different forms across various regions. He recalled that in August 2025, Catholic nuns and priests from Kerala were allegedly attacked by Bajrang Dal members in Odisha.
The CBCI General Body Meeting will begin on Wednesday under the theme “Faith and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision”. Former Supreme Court judge Justice K.M. Joseph and Professor D. Dominic are scheduled to address the gathering on the topic “Current Socio-Political Context and Constitutional Values”.
According to the meeting agenda, deliberations will take place against the backdrop of several developments, including recent Supreme Court directives on a public interest litigation concerning anti-conversion laws, attacks on churches and Christian institutions in different regions, and incidents of violence and intimidation reported during the Christmas season.
In a pre-meeting media briefing, Archbishop Thazhath emphasised that despite being a numerical minority, Christians have made significant contributions to India. He underlined that the Constitution guarantees minority rights and the freedom to practise religion. Countering narratives that portray Christianity as foreign, he said the faith has been present in India for nearly 2,000 years. “Christianity is inherently Indian. It is not alien,” he asserted.
The Archbishop also expressed serious concern over what he described as growing hostility towards Christians, often under the guise of enforcing anti-conversion laws. He said he had conveyed these anxieties directly to the Prime Minister.
Also present at the briefing were CBCI Secretary General Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto, Vice-President II Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas, Deputy Secretary General Fr. Mathew Koyickal, and PRO Fr. Robinson Rodrigues.
